HOPEACADEMY
INC4801
ASSIGNMENT 04
2024
2024
1.1 Critically analyse the progress of implementation of inclusive education in India and any
other three countries using the themes below (Winter & O’Raw 2010).
Substantiate your answer with references to relevant documents (articles, reports,
papers) and practical examples.
1.1.1 physical features
1.1.2 asset-based assessment
1.1.3 staffing and personnel
1.1.4 universal design for learning
0 7 6 4 0 3 1 2 2 9
,INC4801 ASSIGNMENT 04 – 2024
DUE 11 OCTOBER 2024
1.1 Critically analyse the progress of implementation of inclusive education in
India and any other three countries using the themes below (Winter & O’Raw
2010)
Substantiate your answer with references to relevant documents (articles,
reports,
papers) and practical examples.
1.1.1 physical features (20)
Inclusive education is a key aspect of creating equal learning opportunities for all
students, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. In recent years, many
countries, including India, have started to implement inclusive education.
However, the progress and approach to inclusive education vary between
countries. One important aspect of inclusive education is the physical
environment or features of schools, which play a crucial role in accommodating
learners with different needs. This essay will critically analyze the progress of
implementing inclusive education in India and three other countries (South Africa,
the United States, and Finland), focusing on the theme of physical features.
India has made significant progress in promoting inclusive education, especially
after the Right to Education (RTE) Act of 2009. This act ensures that all children,
including those with disabilities, have the right to free and compulsory education.
While the policy is strong, the practical implementation faces challenges. Many
schools lack accessible physical infrastructure, such as ramps, special seating, or
accessible toilets, which are essential for students with disabilities to participate
fully in education. Additionally, there is a shortage of trained teachers who are
equipped to handle diverse learning needs in classrooms (Kohli, 2021). Though
, there are efforts to promote inclusive education, such as specialized teacher
training programs and initiatives by NGOs, the gap between policy and practice
remains significant. For real inclusivity, India needs to improve school
infrastructure and provide more resources to support students with special needs
(Sharma, 2020).
Many schools in India are not physically equipped to cater to students with
disabilities. Classrooms, playgrounds, and bathrooms often do not meet
accessibility standards. A 2020 study by the Ministry of Human Resource
Development found that less than 30% of schools had ramps or accessible toilets
for children with physical disabilities. As Praneet Mungali notes in the article, only
a small percentage of students with disabilities complete secondary school,
reflecting the challenges of poor physical infrastructure (Mungali, 2024). Schools
like Sanskriti in Pune are exceptions, providing ramps, special educators, and
adapted curricula for inclusive education. But these are isolated examples rather
than widespread practice.
In South Africa, inclusive education is supported by the Constitution and key
policies like White Paper 6 (2001), which promotes education for all, including
learners with disabilities. However, despite these strong legal frameworks, the
implementation of inclusive education faces challenges. Many schools still have
physical barriers, such as lack of ramps and accessible classrooms, which hinder
students with disabilities from fully participating in education (Department of
Education, 2001). Additionally, there is a need for more trained teachers who can
effectively support diverse learning needs, making full inclusion difficult to
achieve (Naicker, 2005).
Many public schools in South Africa are old and not built with accessibility in
mind. A report by the Department of Basic Education (2021) showed that about
40% of schools do not have ramps, making it difficult for students with mobility
impairments to access classrooms. The lack of accessible learning spaces and
specialized equipment in rural schools poses significant challenges for learners
with disabilities. While some schools in urban areas have started upgrading their
