Socially just and inclusive education

ABSTRACT

This article presents a personal account of what socially just and inclusive education means to me, an academic in a UK university. I identify the critical elements as being the recognition of the right to claim and the duty to protect the humanity and value of all members of society. Inclusion and social justice are about belonging in the world unfettered by the disablements of poverty, illness and prejudice. They are dependent upon interdependence, community and collaborative enterprise. Here I call upon all students in education to take a stand, to work together to end the marginalisation and exclusion of the poor and the abandoned and to disavow control through privilege. Only together by and for each other can we be free.

RÉSUMÉ

Cet article présente une perspective personnelle de ce qu'une éducation inclusive représente pour moi, un universitaire au sein d'une université anglaise. J'identifie les éléments critiques d'être la reconnaissance du droit à affirmer, ainsi que le devoir à protéger l'humanité et la valeur de tous les membres de la société. L'inclusion et la justice sociale concernent l'appartenance à un monde exempt des entraves que sont la pauvreté, la maladie et les préjugés. Elles reposent sur l'interdépendance, la communauté et l'entreprise collaborative. Ici, j'appelle les étudiants dans le système éducatif à faire front, à travailler ensemble afin de mettre fin à la marginalisation et l'exclusion des pauvres et des laissés-pour-compte, et de renoncer la domination d'une société de privilège. Seulement en agissant ensemble sera-t-il possible de nous libérer les uns les autres.

KEYWORDS:

• Social justice
• inclusion
• education
• disability

MOTS-CLÉS:

• Éducation
• justice Sociale
• inclusion
• invalidité

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Nick Hodge is Professor of Inclusive Practice.

Notes

1. Information about and images of the Charles Street building can be found at https://www.shu.ac.uk/about-us/our-services/facilities-directorate/estates-development-and-sustainability/charles-street-building.

2. It is the Vice Chancellor who effectively leads a British University and has responsibility for its administrative functions.

3. Robin Hood is an English folklore hero who robbed the rich to give to the poor.

4. Free schools in the UK are those funded by national rather than local government.

5. Nicky Morgan was at that time Education Minister within the UK Conservative Government.