Creating data based training needs profile of primary schools in inclusive education

“A policy of inclusion needs to be implemented in all schools and throughout our education system. The participation of all children needs to be ensured in all spheres of their life in and outside the school. Schools need to become centers that prepare children for life and ensure that all children, especially the differently abled, children from marginalized sections, and children in difficult circumstances get the maximum benefit of this critical area of education”

Page 85 NCF 2005

The objective of the study was to prepare the training needs profile of primary schools, in the area of inclusive education, using the data based approach. The sample comprised of 53 teachers and three educational administrators of regular primary schools. The data was collected using researcher developed questionnaires and semistructured interview schedule and a tool adapted from Booth and Ainscow's Index for Inclusion (2002) to make it culturally valid. The training needs profile of the three schools indicated inter school variations, each one having its own specific set of issues and concerns required to be addressed via school based training programs or interventions.