Inclusive Education In Uk
stakeholders such as local authorities, agencies and sponsors. This means that the teacher should always be at her best and this makes her better at her profession. Inclusive education also makes teachers better role models because they get to understand various types of students and how to deal with them. Eventually, they can teach their students these values too. Teachers also get a chance to interact with other inclusive educators through workshops and conferences. By doing so, they gain a better understanding of the teaching process in general. Teachers are also exposed to various situations in the classroom since special needs children always require different needs. Consequently teachers will need to think outside the box. They also need to engage in extra work in order to make them better equipped for this challenge. This will add to their value as teachers and they will be more professional.
Disadvantages and challenges
In order to effectively implement inclusive education, there is a need to adjust people’s frame of mind. All stakeholders need to be informed about the benefits of education. There should be elimination of stereotypes and misconceptions yet this is a very difficult task. In the event that a school decides to encourage participation, they will have to deal with these negativities. Those individuals who hold traditional beliefs about education usually resist change and a lot of resources must be allocated in the process of changing this frame of mind. (Schwartz, 1998)
However, changing people’s perspectives may not be a hundred percent efficient. For instance, a country like the US has been battling with the issue of racism for decades on end. Although it has come a long way from the days when segregation was still part of their law, there are still some people who will never accept racial differences. Similarly, the United Kingdom must be prepared to accept that some people will never change their stereotypes towards inclusion. (Lerner et al, 1998)
Another disadvantage of such an approach to education is the fact that inclusive education encourages more closure of special schools. This is an issue that has sparked a lot of controversy given the fact that the UK government still funds some special education schools. (Evans and Lund, 2002)Adoption of the inclusive education approach will involve providing an alternative for some of the stakeholders involved in the special schools programme. Special schools take up a large number of staff members, sponsors and agencies. As it can be seen presently, there are some special schools in the UK that are already closing down. Resources previously directed to these institutions are now going to mainstream schools. This has sparked off a lot of controversy and debate surrounding the issue. Some of the staff members may run out of jobs while others may have no other options.
There is also another related argument to the above; some groups believe that certain children cannot be fully included in mainstream schools. This is especially in relation to those who may be severely handicapped. They propose that these children need to remain in special schools. While some of these arguments are not necessarily true; there is an underlying fact. Some students may not have the ability to take part in certain physical activities. Also, some mental challenges may be quite difficult for some teachers. It is therefore difficult to cope with these cases in the inclusive classroom. (Beckman et al, 1998)
Inclusive education has also caused some ripples in the legal system. There are so many controversies in the current system. Most of them stem from the fact that majority of people still use the term children with disabilities. This term denotes separation of the special needs children. It also highlights the fact that there are still many differences between children who need support in education and those who do not. It indicates that the UK government is yet to come to terms with the fact that the medical model they have been using is outdated. Such reasoning presents a real problem in the education system because there is a need to change all these issues.
How teachers help children with special needs adapt to mainstream classrooms (Mittler, 2000)
Analysis of advantages and disadvantages
A more comprehensive understanding of the disadvantages and advantages of inclusive education comes from addressing the root causes behind exclusion. (Pearpoint & Marsha, 2001) It should be noted that the greatest opponents to inclusive education are those individuals who feel threatened or insecure about the system. Inclusive education is something relatively new to them and they may have the fear of loosing their positions or jobs once this is instituted. Others may not be certain about the mode of implementing inclusive education.
It should be noted that opponents to