ABSTRACT
The principle of basic education as a human right has been accepted internationally. However, the experience in many developing countries shows that a large number of children are not able to complete the minimum number of school years. They face a variety of barriers before coming to school and even within the school. Does ‘inclusive education’ offer a solution? This chapter attempts a response to this question by analyzing the origin, concept and practices of inclusive education, and also the nature of barriers which children, particularly those at risk and from the disadvantaged sections, have to confront when they want to access school education.
