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Developing A World Class Inclusive Education System Essay

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The Special Education 2000 programme was introduced by the New Zealand Ministry of Education 1996. By introducing such a programme the government intended to develop a world class inclusive education system. The model and aim at that stage was to reform the education system where children with disabilities could be integrated into the mainstream education system. This would enable children with disabilities to attend their local community schools where having the same opportunities as their siblings and friends from their community. In 1996 Lipsky & Gartner described inclusive education as “students with disabilities having full membership in age-appropriate classes in their neighbourhood schools, with appropriate supplementary aids and support services”. In more recent years it has become evident that inclusive education should include the participation of all students in schooling. The system had to be restructured so that the culture, policies and practices in schools can cater to the diverse needs of all children within the community that the school is located in. Inclusive schools are based on the belief that all children can learn. They should also respect that children are different and all differences need to acknowledged and catered to. Policies, systems and the structures within schools should be enhanced to meet the needs of all children.

There has been a concerted effort made by the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand government to reform inclusive

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