On August 25, 2023, the Department of Education, Loreto College, Kolkata, organised a webinar on the topic, ‘The Emphasis of National Education Policy 2020 on Inclusive Education’. The resource person of the webinar, Mr. Ishan Chakraborty, addressed the students of various prestigious institutions through Google Meet.
His talk emphasised special schools versus inclusive schools and integration versus inclusion. He critically analysed the four factors of education: child, teachers, curriculum and schools. He also touched upon the issues of participation, the lack of proper physical environment and the difficulties faced by the differently-abled people. Even if there is an inclusion, it is like a sympathised or sensitised inclusion. He threw light upon his personal experience where he was made to sit on the first bench to make him feel comfortable, but it segregated him and made him feel like it was a ‘punishment phase’. He emphasised not just including the disabled but also providing the means to them so that they can make use of all the opportunities available to them. He suggested strategies and methods to implement inclusion in an effective manner in the field of education.
Mr Chakraborty emphasised the availability of books for special children to enhance their learning abilities and to make them a part of the system. Further, he put forth his opinion by giving the example of Helen Keller, who was an inspiration for all but was seen merely as a disabled person who achieved success.
Mr. Ishan Chakraborty concluded the webinar by stating, “My greatest privilege is that I can speak English which most of my disabled friends cannot.” This was followed by an interactive session, where the resource person answered the questions asked by the audience. The webinar came to an end with a vote of thanks.