Professor Mel Ainscow, professor of education at the Robert Owen Centre for Educational Change, has worked with the UNESCO International Bureau of Education and international experts to develop resource materials that can be used globally to promote inclusion and equity in education.

The materials focus on the greatest challenge facing education systems around the world, that of finding ways of including and ensuring the learning of all children in schools.

According to the materials, the promotion of inclusion and equity in schools involves developing a welcoming and supportive culture within school communities, and that the terms ‘inclusion’ and ‘equity’ must be clearly defined in ways that speak to a diverse range of stakeholders.

The UNESCO Guide for Ensuring Inclusion and Equity in Education (2017) defines inclusion and equity as follows:

Inclusion is a process that helps overcome barriers limiting the presence, participation and achievement of learners.

Equity is about ensuring fairness, where the education of all learners is seen as having equal importance.
Reaching Out to All Learners consists of three guides:

  1. Leading Inclusive School Development
  2. Developing Inclusive Classrooms
  3. Working with Partners

Find out more on the School of Education website

First published: 1 February 2022

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