What is inclusive education and what does it mean for teachers?

There are many different views and definitions of what is understood by the concept  “inclusive education”. In essence, inclusive education refers to a school system that is a reflection of society. It is essential that learners with differing abilities should be included in our classrooms. Segregation in any form is strongly discouraged and diversity is embraced.

Teachers are tasked to deliver the curriculum at a specific pace and level, but not all learners are able to progress at the required rate. This scenario poses a challenge, and teachers often lack the skills to assist those learners with barriers to learning.

What are barriers to learning?

“Barriers to learning” is a term officially used in Education White Paper 6: Special Needs Education, Building an Inclusive Education and Training System. This term gives us insight to view the barrier as an obstacle to the child and not the child as the “problem”. There are many factors that can be barriers to learning − they can be intrinsic (from within the child) or extrinsic (from outside the child).