Inclusion: How can schools give every learner a fair chance?

Pre-Primary pupils of Alkhair Royal School learn how to communicate on an opening day. [Omondi Onyango, Standard]

Every child has a right to education regardless of economic class, personal challenges, academic abilities, or any other peculiarity. Every child needs a supportive learning environment that encourages academic achievement, intellectual confidence and personal growth.

In education parlance, this concept is referred to as inclusion. Inclusive learning provides all students with access to flexible learning choices and effective paths for achieving educational goals in spaces where they experience a sense of belonging. In an inclusive education environment, all children, regardless of abilities or challenges, learn together in the same age-appropriate classroom. It is based on the understanding that all children and families are valued equally and deserve access to the same opportunities. Inclusive educational practice provides opportunities for all young people to learn together by removing learning barriers. It also addresses the issues that concern all individuals who are vulnerable to exclusion from education.