Chapter 4: Inclusive Education: A Bastion for Change

This chapter is about inclusive education, which in the eyes of the author is a bastion for change. As a bastion for change, this education system is expected to guarantee quality, equal and accessible education for all students from all walks of life. Within this system, there are principles, attitudes or activities to assist in maintaining its role as a bastion. Those principles, attitudes and activities include, but are not limited to, social justice, achievement of equality, human rights, collectivism, ubuntu, tolerance, acceptance of differences, mutual respect, inclusivity, etc. Through this chapter, the author is making a clarion call that education authorities, inclusive education settings and different stakeholders involved should uphold the principles of inclusion, accommodation, togetherness, collectivism, etc. so that all students (of all ages, gender, ethnicity, language, class, disability or HIV/AIDS status) can feel a sense of belonging. A bastion would fail in its duty and responsibility if it did not treat students from the human rights–based perspective, did not respond to the unique needs of children with disabilities, did not respond to marginalised groups and did not transform the education system as a whole. All children and youth can learn, but they require support from the bastion.