Can education ever be neutral when the question of inclusion is at stake?
Education is often seen as a way to promote social mobility, economic growth, and personal development.
This viewpoint fails to acknowledge that the educational system has been historically biased against certain groups and individuals. This bias can be seen in several ways, including but not limited to gender, race, socioeconomic status, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. Inclusive education refers to a learning environment where all students feel welcome and respected regardless of their differences. The goal of inclusive education is to ensure that everyone has access to quality education and opportunities for success.
In an ideal world, education should be free from any form of discrimination, prejudice, or bigotry. Nevertheless, it's crucial to recognize that achieving this objective is challenging because the educational system was built upon societal norms that are inherently exclusionary.
Some people may feel uncomfortable discussing issues related to sex, sexuality, eroticism, intimacy, or relationships in classrooms, believing they belong solely within private spaces. On the other hand, some scholars argue that these topics must be addressed explicitly to create a more open-minded society.
Even if teachers choose not to address them explicitly, their implicit bias might influence how they teach and assess student performance. Therefore, while the educational system seeks to remain neutral, educators need to understand their role in creating an inclusive atmosphere.
Many factors could lead to the exclusion of certain students.
Stereotypes about women's abilities have led to lower expectations for their achievements in math and science fields. Similarly, racialized people face barriers due to structural racism and cultural beliefs that associate intelligence with whiteness. These stereotypes can also extend into the teaching profession as they often reinforce gender roles and limit the representation of minorities among educators.
Students who identify themselves outside the binary gender spectrum may experience difficulties when trying to fit into a rigid system designed around two genders. Thus, despite the intention to remain impartial, education cannot avoid having biases embedded in its structure.
In sum, although education should aim at being inclusive, it is difficult to achieve complete neutrality regarding the issue of inclusion. Nonetheless, this challenge shouldn't discourage us from working towards a fairer and more equitable educational environment. By acknowledging our biases and seeking ways to overcome them, we can create a world where everyone has access to quality education regardless of their background or identity.
Can education ever be neutral when the question of inclusion is at stake?
Yes, it can be argued that education can sometimes be neutral despite the issue of inclusivity being present. It depends on how institutions handle these issues because they have the power to influence students' views on various subjects. If educational institutions promote diversity and tolerance towards different perspectives, then there would likely not be any biases against specific groups within their system.