Influence of parental attitude towards inclusive education for CWSN: A study in Barpeta district, Assam, India

Abstract

The concept of inclusion is based on the ideas of providing equal opportunities to all children depending upon their individual needs and diverse nature. Right to belongingness should be one of the prime opportunities to all children both normal and deficient to value the uniformity in a country. The term inclusive education means much more than integrated education. It refers to an education system that accommodates all children regardless of their physical, intellectual, social, emotional, linguistic or other conditions. The term inclusive education refers to education of all children without discrimination of attainment, gender or disability into the regular school. Inclusion is minimizing exclusion and fostering participation for all children in the culture within a wider framework of support of all children in general schools. Inclusion is a mean to provide opportunities to children regardless the differences. Here emphasis has been given on adapting the environment to accommodate the disability instead of treating the deficit. The success of inclusion of children with disabilities in mainstream classrooms largely depends on parents’ attitudes towards their children with special needs. Parents play a significant role in the upbringing, protection and development of children. Parenting involves providing moral support, companion, and ensures good habits and supporting basic needs including education. Hence attitude of parents can effectively change the perspective of inclusive education Attitude of parents is one of the decisive factors to make inclusive education successful. Their attitude is crucial as they have unique knowledge about the child’s strengths and needs. They are directly involved in Inclusive Education Program development and educational placement of their children. In order to full participation in developing IEP of children, parents must have knowledge about specific disabilities. In the present paper an attempt has been made to study the attitude of parents towards inclusive education for CWSN in Barpeta District, Assam, India.