Concept of Disability and Inclusive Education
Senior 2 · History
Concept of Disability and Inclusive Education
Lesson 4 of 4
20 min
Inclusive education is both a right and a choice about what kind of society we want. When children of all abilities learn side by side, they grow into adults who expect to live and work side by side. Rwanda has committed itself to this path in law and policy.
Inclusive education means that all learners, with and without disabilities, learn together in the same schools, and that the school adapts its buildings, teaching, materials and attitudes so that every learner can take part and succeed.
| For whom | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Learners with disabilities | Education close to home and family, better skills and exam results, confidence, friendships, and a better chance of work |
| Classmates | Respect for diversity, empathy, less prejudice, and new skills such as sign language |
| Teachers | Methods that help every learner, such as clear speech, visual aids and varied activities |
| Society | Less poverty and dependence, more workers and taxpayers, stronger social cohesion, and human rights respected |
Question: "Inclusive education is too expensive for Rwanda." Discuss.
Inclusion does have costs: ramps, trained teachers, braille and devices. But separate special schools for every disability would cost more and reach fewer children, many of whom live far from such schools. Many adaptations, such as seating, clear speech and peer support, cost nothing. And excluding children from education costs society far more over a lifetime in lost work and dependence. So inclusion is affordable if introduced step by step, and exclusion is the more expensive choice.
Tip
Memory hook: "Learner, Classmates, Teachers, Society". Structure every "impact of inclusive education" answer around these four groups, then add at least one challenge.
Define inclusive education.
Solution. All learners, with and without disabilities, learning together in the same schools, with the school adapting so that every learner can take part and succeed.
What is the NCPD?
Solution. The National Council of Persons with Disabilities, established by law in 2011, which represents persons with disabilities and advises the government.
Give two benefits of inclusive education for non-disabled classmates.
Solution. Any two of: respect for diversity; empathy; less prejudice; new skills such as sign language; better teaching methods that help everyone.
Give two challenges to inclusive education and one solution to each.
Solution. For example: inaccessible buildings, solved by building ramps; too few trained teachers, solved by teacher training in special needs; stigma, solved by awareness campaigns.
Remember
Sources and credits
