PROMOTING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION: IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS

ELMER SAMSON DAYRIT

Last June 2018, I attended a National Seminar on Inclusive Education in Davao conducted by the Department of Education. I am really moved by the learnings and testimonies shared by experts in this field. The training made me realized on how important inclusive education is in promoting accessible and responsive education.

Around the world, many children are excluded from schools where they belong because of disability, language, race, religion, gender, and poverty. This is in spite of the promulgation of various international laws on the rights of every child to be supported by their parents and community to grow, learn, and develop in the early years. When the child is of school age he should be sent to school and be welcomed and included by teachers and peers alike. When all children, regardless of their differences or disabilities are educated together, everyone benefits— this is the cornerstone of inclusive education.

Studies show that inclusion is beneficial not only for those who receive special education services but for all students. New Brunswick for Community Living, listed the following benefits of inclusion:

* All children are able to be part of their community and develop a sense of belonging and become better prepared for life in the community as children and adults.

* It provides better opportunities for learning. Children with varying abilities are often better motivated when they learn in classes surrounded by other children.

* The expectations of all the children are higher. Successful inclusion attempts to develop an individual’s strengths and gifts.

* It allows children to work on individual goals while being with other students their own age.

* It encourages the involvement of parents in the education of their children and the activities of their local schools.

* It fosters a culture of respect and belonging. It also provides the opportunity to learn about and accept individual differences.

* It provides all children with opportunities to develop friendships with one another. Friendships provide role models and opportunities for growth.

Knowing the importance and benefits of Inclusive education is the first step. The next step is how can we make this a reality? To make inclusive education a reality Open Society Foundation suggested the following:

* ensure that educators have the training, flexibility, and resources to teach students with diverse needs and learning styles

* ensure that schools receive adequate and sustainable financial supportsothat all activities and services are fully inclusive

* empower parents to assert their children’s right to education in inclusive settings

* enable the entire community— including mainstream and special educators, social workers, parents, and students— to work together and participate in the design, delivery, and monitoring of education, thereby reframing inclusive education as a shared responsibility

* hold governments accountable for implementing antidiscrimination legislation, legal mandates for inclusion, and policies to remove barriers

The success of implementing Inclusive education lies not only to the strong leadership of the school head. It entails a collaborative effort from parents, teachers, community and students.

— oOo—

The author is Principal II at Northville 15 integrated School

Division of Angeles City