Labelling and Inclusive Education

Abstract

The use of labels in inclusive education is a complex issue. Some have argued that labels are a necessary evil in the allocation of limited resources in order to support children with specific additional support needs, and others would argue that they bring comfort and relief for children and their families and lead to an intervention programme that will improve the child’s educational opportunities. Further arguments about the use of labels have included that they lead to a wider and better understanding of certain needs that children may have, and thus there is more tolerance, and less stigmatisation amongst the general public than was the case before. However, counter arguments can be made for each of these issues as to whether the use of labels can truly be considered a valuable practice in the sphere of inclusive education.