A place for all: Trends in special and inclusive education in India

Abstract Education is the fundamental Right of every citizen of India. To exercise that right is a challenge when the person has a disability. The education of individuals with disabilities has come a long way in India, ranging from total rejection by schools, to right based education. Getting to know the educational system in India since BCE to current practices leads to understanding the socio‐cultural ethos that impact the principles of ‘education for all’ in India. This narrative study with specific focus on current trends, practices and challenges was carried out through a review of government publications and documents, research studies and other relevant literature. The impact of international mandates and national policies on the educational systems are highlighted. In addition, the diverse socio‐cultural, linguistic economic and geographical factors that influence the educational system and the efforts taken by the various Boards of Education at Central and State levels are discussed. Findings reveal that in essence, the policy of inclusive education espoused by the ministry of education reaches a large number of children in regular schools throughout the country, while the special schools supported by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and NGOs play their role in meeting the specific needs of the child ranging from early intervention to higher education/vocational training and job placement. Decisions about the educational placement of a child with a disability are predominantly based on parental choices, the access to schools in their locality and the extent of the child's disability.