Inclusive Education.

The key to forming tolerant, respectful and empathetic people is that from childhood they can relate to children of different personality, cultural and physical characteristics. This is what inclusive education is all about.

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What is inclusive education?

It is not an educational strategy that seeks to fit children into the system and structure of society. Quite the contrary: inclusive education is about transforming educational systems, so that children from different cultures or who have a disability can adapt to them.

Inclusive education is a process in which the objectives of the education system are strengthened, whose purpose is to reach all infants. To achieve this end, the learning centers or schools must be converted into competent places to be able to attend any child.

What does inclusive education imply?

For inclusive education to exist, study opportunities must be provided to all children without creating any distinction or difference. Especially those who belong to an ethnic group, rural or with a disability or learning difficulty , because they tend to be excluded.

The mission is that everyone, without exception, can acquire knowledge and develop their skills. In addition, it seeks to create habits that contribute to the child's mental and social well-being.

In other words, inclusive education consists in offering special education in schools or regular schools. In order for this to be possible and give the expected results, the institution must systematically organize and receive financial assistance to be able to provide physical accessibility.

Likewise, it must have the supports that this education proposes.

Integration is key in inclusive education.

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Characteristics of a school with inclusive education

An educational institution must be characterized by eliminating any obstacle or barrier that impedes participation and learning. Not only of the child, but this also includes the family, who must actively participate in the educational center and the teaching process of their child.

For all this, a school with inclusive education must meet the following characteristics:

• The educational center that focuses on the capabilities of the child .

• There are no requirements or selection mechanism to admit a child.

• It seeks to improve the quality of life of children and families .

• There is a relationship of collaboration with families , based on respect and empathic attitudes.

• The teaching staff is a support for the student in their learning process.

• Part of the training implies that children have their own voice with a critical and cooperative spirit .

• Respect is one of the main foundations in their teaching and learning process.

• The education system is characterized by being comprehensive, multidisciplinary and critical.

Although the process of evaluation of the students is done in a global way, the capacities of each one are taken into account individually.

"Inclusive education seeks to create habits that contribute to the child's mental and social well-being"

Strategies to include children affected by exclusion.

Different strategies and guidelines has been created for the three groups of children affected by social exclusion. In order to seek the maximum development and potential of each of these children, the following strategies have been presented:

Kids from the street

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Education is the only totally effective means to achieve the social reintegration of these children. For this, the intervention of inclusive education should be characterized by the following:

• Raising awareness about the conditions of these children and their right to receive education like others.

• Provide technical support to institutions or organizations that voluntarily meet the basic needs of these children.

In order for the public and private sectors' support to be constant and effective, strengthen the initiatives with financial support.

Street children should also be the object of inclusive education.

Children who work

One of the obstacles that arise is that a large number of children do not attend school because they have to go to work. That is why education is the fundamental tool to prevent child labor .

"Free and compulsory education, at least up to a minimum age, is a basic right for every person"

Children with disabilities

A large number of children who have a disability or learning difficulties are not enrolled because their parents do not see it as necessary. It is a serious mistake: early education is very important for every child. In these cases, inclusive education guarantees the greatest effort and means to offer:

Support necessary for all students who have any special educational need to integrate as best as possible.

Teaching and technological staff trained in teaching children with disabilities or learning difficulties.

On the other hand, children from indigenous or rural areas are also affected by not having a school or teaching staff that can provide education. It is another of the groups of children that this type of education should consider.

Finally, inclusive education seeks that all people can enjoy the freedom of knowledge and that they are not left aside because they have a social difference or a disability .

From home, family members can be made aware so that they can accept the differences between each human being and, in this way, promote equality .