School inclusion constitutes a process of strengthening the educational system to reach all students, therefore, we can understand it as a strategy to achieve EFA (Education for all). In the following article, we will analyze the requirements and guidelines to follow for its implementation in the communities, who are its actors and the impact it has on the performance of educational tasks.
Influence of social inclusion in education
Throughout Ecuador's history, diversity has been a fundamental pillar in the social development of communities. With the large number of peoples and ethnic groups present in the expansion of our territory, it is impossible not to emphasize the determining role played by the interactions of young people with their peers of different characteristics. These interactions, generally, take place within spaces of common interaction, during the fundamental years of development, this place is the classroom. Therefore, we have asked ourselves the following question. To what extent does inclusive education influence the daily work of the educational community?
As a first point, we must recognize inclusive education as the process of identifying and responding to the diversity of special needs of all students, in order to reduce exclusion in education.
In an educational setting, we conceptualize diversity as the understanding that each student possesses unique ideas, experiences, and strengths, whether due to race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, culture, socioeconomic status, age, ability, religious or political beliefs. or other different ideologies.
“Although the law ordered it, it is from 2010 that Ecuador began to have a model project for inclusive education, the objective of which is to ensure that the educational system complies with the demands of the Constitution, that is, to make school possible for all, attending to those subjects with special educational needs, associated or not with disability. (El Universo newspaper, 2019) "
It should be noted that it is this same law that determines that all common school education establishments must adopt measures that allow the admission of those students with special educational needs, whether or not they are associated with a disability.
Inclusive education demands a radical change, depending on each case of special educational need, schools and colleges must make modifications in strategy, structure, approaches and content.
“The heterogeneity of the students demands a personalized and individualized attention that presides over most of the learning activities in the classroom. For this, the organization and distribution of spaces and times must enable work close to the interests of the students. (Ritacco, 2012) "
It should also be mentioned that the teacher is a key agent in the construction of school inclusion. However, they are not the only ones who must act in the process. At the fiscal level, the training of teachers began in 2014, with courses on educational inclusion, inclusive special education, pedagogical updating, sustainable learning and disability awareness.
Despite this, in many institutions there is not the will to train their staff, this being only one of the obstacles present in the path of educational inclusion, together with the lack of guidance for parents, socioeconomic factors that prevent students go to educational institutions, late identification or diagnosis of disability, or the recognition of the strengths and potential of those they represent.
“Viewing education through the prism of inclusion means going from seeing the child as the problem to considering that the educational system is the problem that can be solved through inclusive approaches. (Rocha, 2012) "
Schools must prioritize efforts to promote diversity and equity within their school culture, as far as teachers are concerned, they must be able to support a diverse student population. Taking into account and valuing the differences of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, religion, socioeconomic status and how they impact us individually.
It is also necessary to mention the establishment of norms that promote inclusion and openness as part of the promotion of equity and diversity. Another fundamental trait is exposing students to diverse cultures in a meaningful way and prioritizing academic excellence.
Regarding the community, both students and their families have a wealth of knowledge to share about themselves, self-taught education must be encouraged in them on fundamental issues within inclusive education, culture, ethnicity, nationality, etc.
Ultimately, promoting equality, cohesion, inclusion and social and territorial equity in education constitutes a wide range of sacrifices and effort. Now, it is extremely beneficial in building a just society with our fellow men. By proposing inclusive curricula, taking measures and the support and collaboration of the entire educational community; the creation of an inclusive environment in which everyone can feel safe without distinction something possible and assertive in the development and performance of students not only at the school level but also in a generalized way. Forming healthy and prepared people for the day to day of today's society.
References
- Ecuador, F., 2020. - Ecuador Forums. Ecuador forums. Available at:
