Creating More Inclusive Schooling to Promote Equitable Systems 

Under the theme of inclusive education, the British Council recently held a  conference aimed at promoting equitable and accessible school systems worldwide, regardless of gender, ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic background, health, or medical condition. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports 

The British Council recently hosted the Inclusive Schools Conference under the theme ‘Creating More Inclusive Schooling,’ in the beautiful city of Cape Town. 

This three-day event, held from 18-20 July, brought together policymakers from 15 countries to address the challenges of building high-quality, inclusive schools that empower all students to reach their full potential.

Under the theme of inclusive education, the conference aimed to promote equitable and accessible school systems worldwide, regardless of gender, ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic background, health, or medical condition.

The British Council firmly believes that inclusive schooling is not only a fundamental human right but also a key component of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 4.5: Eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, indigenous people, and children in vulnerable situations.

Mark Herbert, Global Head – Schools, TVET & Non-Formal Education of the British Council mentioned, “The British Council believes that children and young people have a right to education regardless of their gender, ethnicity, ability, socioeconomic background, health or medical condition. 

“Developing inclusive practice requires a multi-tiered response that addresses policy, practice and culture at all levels within the education system, and through events like this, funded by our Schools Connect programme, the British Council is supporting policymakers to make progress towards achieving fully inclusive schooling for all”. 

George Barrett, Country Director, British Council South Africa added, “We are committed to working with school systems to create more inclusive classrooms and continue to bring together international thinking and practice in this area.  

“Through our work in inclusion, we aim to empower policymakers and educators to make informed, evidence-based decisions within their school systems not only in South Africa but across key countries in sub-Saharan Africa.”

The conference provided an essential platform for policymakers to discuss their respective contexts, policy directions, and challenges in inclusive education. By facilitating international networks and fostering dialogue on educational issues, the event aimed to ensure that every child has access to high-quality education. It also offered opportunities to share international evidence, insights, and effective practices that contribute to the development of inclusive school systems.

Through a blend of keynote presentations, workshops, and group discussions, participants engaged in evidence-based research and explored practical solutions from the UK and around the world. The conference prioritised learning, reflection, and networking, enabling attendees to forge long-term collaborative networks and exchange ideas.

As part of the program, attendees had the unique opportunity to visit an inclusive school in Cape Town, gaining first-hand experience and insights into successful inclusive practices.

The British Council’s Schools Connect programme was showcased during the conference. Schools Connect is a global initiative that partners with governments and educators to improve the quality of education and infuse an international perspective into the curriculum. By nurturing young minds, Schools Connect equips students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed to address global challenges in the present and future.

Moreover, we were pleased to have launched our report, ‘Barriers to Girls’ Education: A Synthesis of British Council Research in Africa,’ during the Conference. By synthesising the research findings from Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Kenya, the report highlights the barriers and constraints that remained in achieving gender-transformative education in low-income contexts. 

The launch of the report at the Inclusive Schools Conference provided a platform to share its insights and findings with a diverse audience, fostering discussions and raising awareness about the importance of girls’ education in Africa.

The British Council looks back on the conference with satisfaction, having welcomed attendees from around the world and facilitated a meaningful dialogue on creating inclusive school systems.

About Inclusive Schools 

Schools Connect is the British Council’s programme for schools in the UK and around the world. We partner with governments and educators to improve the quality of education and bring an international perspective to the curriculum.

Our work helps all young people to develop their international understanding and build the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to respond to global challenges now and in the future.

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. 

We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories and are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2022–23 we reached 600 million people.