Inclusive Education in Kolkata - How the Parents View It

The present study investigated the sentiment, attitude, concern and opinion of parents towards inclusive education. A comparison was made between the parents having a normal child and a parent having a special educational needs (SEN) child. The sample comprised of 50 parents. The sample was drawn by purposive sampling technique from schools of Kolkata. The Attitude toward Inclusion / Mainstreaming Scale (Leyser & Kirk, 2004) and a structured questionnaire on Sentiment, Concern and Opinion towards Inclusive Education (prepared by the investigator) were administered. The responses were coded and tabulated for statistical analysis. Analysis of the data was made by calculating the frequencies, means, standard deviations, t-tests and chi-square. The results revealed that there was a significant difference between the two groups of parents on the sentiment, attitude, concern and opinion regarding inclusive education. The different demographic factors considered in the study age, educational qualification, significant interaction with the disabled, number of children of respondent and age of SEN child and level of severity of disability of SEN child (only for parent having SEN child) were found to be influencing the parents’ sentiment, attitude, concern and opinion towards inclusive education. Findings have implications for future programme implementation.