INCLUSIVE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED- A BOON OR CURSE

Inclusive Education denotes to facilitate all children irrespective of their strengths and weaknesses will be part of the mainstream education. The feeling of belongingness amid all community members – teachers, students and other functionaries is developed through inclusive education. Inclusive education strives to deal with the learning requirements of children with special needs, with a meticulous focus on those who are subject to being inaccessible and excluded. Lack of flexibility in curriculum, inability to tend for themselves and thus being bullied by others in the class and not getting adequate attention from the teachers are common issues. Majority of students in India irrespective of practice of inclusive education do not receive formal education. This is mainly because those children with disabilities are segregated from mainstream schools and other regular routines and social activities in normal children. Other causative factors to this condition are lack of affordability and knowledge on the type of education choices accessible to children with special needs. Inclusive education becomes a key reason for integrating a special child with the mainstream. Critical feature of inclusive education for a special needs child is, in having the acceptance and friendship of classmates. This kind of support also aids in the progress of special children and helps them to gain confidence within the school environment. This paper reflects on the attitude of teacher educators on the inclusive education of students with intellectual disability