Inclusive Education and NEP 2020: An Analysis | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

ABSTRACT

Education is the gateway for children to fully participate and contribute constructively to the progress of society. It has been considered as the most potent factor that improves the life-chances of children with disabilities. However, unfortunately, many children with disabilities cannot be benefitted of this opportunity because they have to face a lot of obstacles owing to their exclusion and marginalisation by the society.  Apart from the inaccessible infrastructure and lack of information, policies and institutions; discrimination, antipathy and social norms also play a major role in containing their growth as a self-dependent individual. The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 is an ambitious plan of structural reforms in the education system; which has been adopted by the Government of India in July 2020 after a period of 34 years.  It aims to fill the gaps between the current learning outcomes and what is required to make the educational system excellent, equitable and ethical. It aspires to move beyond the goals of previous educational policies – NPE 1968 and NPE 1986, and their unfinished agenda of inclusion in education of the children with disabilities. The present paper attempts to analyse the key recommendations of NEP 2020, and records some of the key challenges that the policy may encounter on its route to achieve its goal of inclusive education.