Holistic Framework for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Education: An Indian Perspective

Abstract: Governments and educational policymakers are becoming increasingly concerned about diversity, equality and inclusion in education due to critical global phenomena such as demographic transitions, migration and refugee crises, rising disparities, and climate change. These changes have emphasized the importance of strong policies for diversity, equity and inclusion in education. Equitable, inclusive, and quality education identifies and strives to remove barriers, fosters a sense of belonging, and builds the groundwork for success and improved student learning outcomes. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) created a comprehensive framework for evaluating diversity, fairness, and inclusion in education. The framework identifies five main policy areas that must be addressed in order to build more equitable and inclusive educational systems. The framework focuses on five dimensions to achieve inclusive and equitable approaches in education systems: 1) Governance, 2) Resource allocation, 3) Capacity development, 4) School-level interventions, and 5) Monitoring and evaluation. This article provides an overview of a comprehensive framework for analyzing diversity, equity, and inclusion in education. As the National Education Policy (NEP) of India 2020 emphasizes education as the most potent vehicle for attaining social justice and equality, this paper evaluates the Indian education system through the lens of five important policy areas proposed by the OECD comprehensive framework. Keywords: Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, OECD Framework, Higher Education, India