Home
Inclusive education

Inclusive education

KAUNO EDUCATION INNOVATION CENTRE’S PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INCLUSION IN EDUCATION IN KAUNO 2022(Download)

The Good Schools Concept discusses the clear trend away from education for all and towards education for everyone, i.e. y. personalised, personalised education(s) and teaching(s), recognising that people’s experiences, needs and aspirations vary and that learning happens at different rates and in different ways. This is also embodied in the basic idea of inclusive education, which aims to ensure that every pupil participates fully in the education process, taking into account the needs and potential of each individual pupil, rather than a single standard. It is no longer a question of whether it is needed, but how to make it happen.

The European Agency for the Development of Special Needs and Inclusive Education proposes to take into account the requirements for inclusive education implemented at school level:

Accessibility: adapting the school environment and premises for people with disabilities, specialised computer and other equipment, activity tools, teaching aids.
Respect for students’ opinions. Developing a positive attitude towards all pupils and a willingness to cooperate with colleagues.
Teacher skills. From knowledge about different disorders, disabilities and learning difficulties, to the educational methods needed to educate all students effectively, according to their needs.
Active student participation. All pupils have the opportunity to take an active part in the school and local community.
Leadership at school. School leaders should welcome differences between staff and pupils, encourage collegiality and innovation. Leadership is promoted at all levels of the organisation.
Multi-agency coordination – working with other emergency services or institutions.

The overarching vision of inclusive education is to ensure that learners of all ages, together with their peers in the local community, are provided with meaningful and quality educational opportunities. The main legal documents that create the conditions for inclusive education, ensuring educational support, equal opportunities and access to education are:

United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006). The purpose of the Convention is to promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities and to promote respect for their inherent dignity. All countries are encouraged to implement inclusive education policies and improve educational practices for pupils with special educational needs, in line with the relevant provisions and targets for the development of inclusive education. Link HERE.
Law on Education (2011). Access to education is the opportunity to learn in a safe, appropriate educational environment, where everyone is educated according to his or her abilities, needs and inclinations. Link HERE.
One of the strategic objectives of the National Education Strategy 2013-2022 is to provide pupils with the best possible opportunities to develop their individual abilities and meet their special educational needs by ensuring access to education and equality of opportunity, and by maximising the coverage of education for children and young people. Link HERE.

Every child’s success is worth the effort of the community, in terms of changing the attitude of the school team, its continuous learning, collaboration with each other and outside the school, and in accepting challenges and solving problems.

Toma Malvicė, psychologist, Kaunas Pranas Daunis Development Centre