INNOVATIVE PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES FOR PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVENESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY NIGERIAN PRIMARY SCHOOL CLASSROOMS

Abstract

The primary school classrooms contain pupils with a wide range of abilities. They are not homogeneous but heterogeneous in nature. They have different learning styles, progress at different rates, gifted and learning disabled, different levels of motivation, interest, attitude towards learning, among other differences. Thus, today’s classroom presents major challenges in effectively teaching all the pupils together. As educational environments become increasingly diverse, the need for strategies that acknowledge and celebrate diversity is paramount. Approaches are required that would allow teachers to avoid the pitfalls of teaching to only a few in the midst of many, but maximizing the learning capacity of every pupil. Differentiated instruction, and inclusive education are commitments to making sure that every student, regardless of the unique needs, can learn, grow, and thrive in a diverse classroom. It is believed that when properly implemented, these approaches would improve pupils’ outcome in diverse populations. Thus, this paper serves as a guide on how to use the key principles of these approaches to help unlock the potential of every student. The paper specifically focused on the meaning and principles of differentiated and inclusive education, teacher implementation of differentiated and inclusive education, challenges inherent in the implementation of differentiated and inclusive education, and proffering solutions to the challenges. It is hoped that bringing basic education teachers into contact with these implementation skills, would go a long way to achieving the objectives of education in diverse populations