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Inclusion means a commitment to educate differently abled children in mainstream schools. It entails ensuring that relevant support services are introduced to mainstream schools as and when needed. Closely linked is a mainstreaming approach that only allows the differently abled access to regular classrooms once they are perceived as ready. These approaches are diametrically opposed to an alternative viewpoint that focuses on sending differently abled students to areas with available support services. Rather than being introduced to regular educational facilities, differently abled individuals are educated in centres that are considered equipped to cater to their needs.
There are of course proponents of views from all sides of the argument. But for Dr. Eman Gaad, Executive Director and Head of Education Committee for the UAE Down Syndrome Association, the matter could not be more straightforward.
“Inclusion education is the only utilitarian and ethical way to ensure that differently abled learners play the most active role they can in society,” she says.
