The benefits of inclusive education: new challenges for university teachers

Abstract

Inclusive education is a child’s right, not a privilege. The amount of current attention given to children and to childhood is unprecedented. In a world affected by financial crises, attitudes about children’s needs are very important. Recent years have seen innovations in the focus of research, as political moves that challenge the ways different children have been excluded and silenced. Inclusive education is a real and urgent need for all educational systems around the world. Inside our university, the Teachers Training Department needs to take serious measures to create a professional environment for all the students involved in the initial training for becoming teachers at all levels. This study reveals the interest and the planning of our trainers to develop their competencies for inclusive education, supported by new ways of international support with the professional involvement of two experts in university education from London Metropolitan University. We discovered that inclusive education is a serious priority, most of their courses and seminars need continue improvement in this area and their interest to develop new skills is high. We need to increase attention to our professional development as a factor that can contribute to a healthy society.