Mainstreaming/Mainstream education/settings

Definition
Mainstreaming is the inclusion ‘of learners with special needs into general educational settings or regular schools’ (IBE-UNESCO, n.d.). Mainstream education settings should ensure that the needs of all students are addressed and that all barriers which can potentially hinder their participation be removed. Thus, inclusive mainstream settings should provide inclusive and accessible school infrastructure, learning methods and pedagogies, as well as teaching and learning materials, among others (IIEP-UNESCO, 2019).

References
IBE-UNESCO (UNESCO International Bureau of Education). n.d. ‘Mainstreaming (in special needs education)’. In: Glossary of Curriculum Terminology.  23 August 2021: http://www.ibe.unesco.org/en/glossary-curriculum-terminology/m/mainstreaming-special-needs-education

IIEP-UNESCO. 2019. On the road to inclusion: highlights from the UNICEF and IIEP Technical Round Tables on Disability-inclusive Education Sector Planning. Paris: IIEP-UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000372193

To explore further
IIEP-UNESCO. 2019. On the road to inclusion: highlights from the UNICEF and IIEP Technical Round Tables on Disability-inclusive Education Sector Planning. Paris: IIEP-UNESCO. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000372193

IIEP-UNESCO; UNICEF; GPE (Global Partnership for Education); UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. 2021. ‘Chapter 11 Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities’. In: Education Sector Analysis Methodological Guidelines – Volume 3. Retrieved from: https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377738/PDF/377738eng.pdf.multi

UNESCO. 2017. A guide for ensuring inclusion and equity in education. Paris: UNESCO. Retrieved from: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002482/248254e.pdf