Understanding marginalisation through dialogue: a strategy for promoting the inclusion of all students in schools

Abstract

This paper examines how marginalisation of students in schools can be understood and addressed. Usually the term marginalisation is associated with existing categories, which mostly relate to policy formulations, and shape teachers’ expectations of these groups as well as their practices. Using examples from the author’s research, it is argued that a focus on the views of students can facilitate an understanding of marginalisation as a broader concept that might be experienced by any student in school. In addition, the paper proposes an alternative approach, one that involves dialogue with students in order to challenge thinking that associates marginalisation with existing categories. Illustrative examples are used to demonstrate how such thinking can ensure the development of more inclusive thinking and practices that take account of all students.

Keywords:

• Marginalisation
• students’ voices
• dialogue
• schools
• inclusive education