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The National Education Policy 2020 seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality
education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all by 2030. It lays much emphasis
and attention on the need to achieve learning outcomes with the theme of inclusive and
equitable education.

 

(https://nludelhi.ac.in/download/publication/Inclusivity%20vis%20a%20vis%20NEP%20202
0.pdf)

Sustainable Development Goal 4 is about quality education and is among the 17 sustainable
development goals established by the United Nations in September 2015. The full title of
SDG 4 is to “Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all”. It is further elaborated as below:

Inclusive education means all children in the same classrooms, in the same
schools. It means real learning opportunities for groups who have
traditionally been excluded – not only children with disabilities, but
speakers of minority languages too. (UNICEF

https://www.unicef.org/education/inclusive-education)

 

We are aware that children with diverse needs are included in Indian schools. Children with
disabilities are either included by default through compulsory enrolment policy or by design
via Inclusive education schemes formulated by the Central or state governments. Millions of
children with diverse /special needs are included in schools and are receiving education with
support from teachers and parents. The number of children with disabilities benefitting
from National open schools shows families with children with disabilities explore different
ways and means to ensure their child gets access to education.

 

The NEP 2020 specifically emphasis and lays importance to include children who are in -
Socially economically disadvantaged groups (SEDG). This is emphasized in the chapter 6 of
National education policy which broadens the scope of equitable inclusive education.
Teacher - silent reformer

 

We often hear that it is a teacher who has or had given guidance to parents and provided
handholding support to children with diverse special needs .There are excellent inspirational
stories/good practices which teachers have shared in since 4 decades in India and other
countries. We have also seen good practices in Anganwadi centres / pre schools where a
teacher plays an important role to ensure access to equitable inclusive education.
With the aim of sharing good practices across schools, Anganwadi and pre schools, we are
pleased to announce “National Essay competition – an opportunity for teachers and
Anganwadi workers to document your school level-classroom level good practices”.