The Role of Teacher in Inclusive Education

Abstract

Abstract Inclusive education refers to the process of integrating children with impairments into mainstream schooling, ensuring that they are not viewed as separate from society but as individuals with unique potential and abilities. It is an innovative educational approach that seeks to provide equal opportunities for all learners to access quality education, regardless of their physical or cognitive differences (UNESCO, 2020). Inclusive education promotes a shared learning environment where students from diverse backgrounds learn and grow together. However, achieving true inclusion necessitates systemic change across all levels of society. Teachers play a pivotal role in this transformation by creating an accessible and supportive learning environment, maintaining classroom discipline, checking homework regularly, and encouraging students with disabilities (Sharma & Das, 2015). Governments must align national laws and policies with international frameworks such as the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), while also investing in teacher training and inclusive learning resources (UNICEF, 2021). In India, several initiatives like the Right to Education (RTE) Act, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and programs for girl child education aim to enhance educational access for all, including children with disabilities (Government of India, 2020). Although the goal of fully inclusive education is still a work in progress, persistent efforts can empower disabled students with self-reliance and confidence. Teachers, by fostering a positive and peaceful classroom climate, are crucial in dismantling the structural barriers to inclusion and in transforming students with disabilities into responsible, participatory citizens.