Inclusiveness for Whom and Why?

Abstract

Inclusiveness, defined as equal access to opportunities and rights across age, gender, religion, and ethnicity, has garnered significant attention in global education since its endorsement in the Salamanca Statement of 1994. It represents a fundamental strategy for educational reform, prioritized by nations worldwide to provide equal and quality education through inclusive education (IE). IE aims to ensure access, presence, participation, and achievement for all students, regardless of diverse backgrounds. This chapter aims to critically examine how government policies, legislation, and educational improvement initiatives in Bangladesh align with the principles of IE. Specifically focusing on primary education, the chapter will analyze the status, acts, policies, and challenges related to IE implementation by the Government of Bangladesh (GoB). Additionally, it will explore critically the successes, obstacles, and the contributions of IE initiatives toward national sustainable development goals.