• University of Glasgow

The Right to Education: Breaking Down the Barriers

How can we support those who are marginalised and excluded from education? Does education for all, mean all?

21,807 enrolled on this course

Inclusive education: a diverse group of children lie on grass completing school work

The Right to Education: Breaking Down the Barriers

21,807 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Introductory level

Find out more about how to join this course

Find out how to ensure inclusion and equity in education

Number 4 on the the UN’s list of global universal sustainable development goals (SDG) is “Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning”. Despite this, 59 million primary-school age children were out of school in 2013. So, does education for all, really mean all? What are the barriers to participating in education? How do you include “all” in the classroom? This online course will answer these and other questions, and help you join the movement to get children the world over into education.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 10 seconds In spite of great efforts between 2000 and 2015, we have not achieved education for all. It was a tall order. And advances were made. But there are still too many children and young people not in either formal or informal education. Together, we are going to spend the next three weeks looking at ideas around inclusion, equity, and participation in education. Hi. My name is Dr. Margaret Sutherland, and I work here in the School of Education at the University of Glasgow. So, what can we do? What should we do? What needs to change if we are to meet the sustainable development goal where we are to ensure inclusive, quality, equitable, education and lifelong learning for all by 2030?

Skip to 0 minutes and 59 seconds Through activities, readings, videos, we’re going to think about how we might try to meet that goal. We’ve also included the voices of people, teachers, students, academics, who have experienced barriers to education or who have worked with young people who’ve experienced barriers. There are many reasons why young people will have barriers to education. And perhaps more than ever, we need to think about how we meet their needs, how we ensure that we are including them and valuing them in our education systems.

Skip to 1 minute and 32 seconds This free online course won’t answer all of these questions, but it will help us to think through what the issues are, and to think how we might make our education systems more inclusive, equitable, and of high quality, ensuring lifelong learning for all by 2030. I’m really looking forward to welcoming you to this course and to learning with you and from you as we progress through the weeks

What topics will you cover?

  • Key international documentation and legislation
  • School systems and structures and how they support learning
  • Main barriers to participation of marginalised groups of learners
  • Practical examples of how teachers and schools are developing inclusive practice
  • Developing inclusive pedagogy

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Compare a range of international legislation relating to Education for All, inclusion and disability
  • Assess why groups are marginalised from educational opportunities considering such things as the link between poverty and disability
  • Assess how education can help to break down barriers for those that are marginalised
  • Collaborate to identify some useful tips for creating a more inclusive learning environment

Who is the course for?

There are no prior requirements to join this course.

While the Educators themselves aren’t available to facilitate this run, we encourage you to engage with other learners and there are opportunities to do this throughout the course.

What do people say about this course?

"My sincere thanks fellow on-line learners and to the staff at the Unversity of Glasgow for a well focussed and enjoyable learning experience. I have found this course to be personally and professionally rewarding. I intend to keep in touch. "

"Thank you for providing this course. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the articles, watching the videos and taking part in discussion with people from all over the globe. It has been thought provoking and informative."

Who will you learn with?

I am a senior lecturer in inclusive education. I have 36 years teaching and research experience in schools, behaviour support and latterly in higher education.

I am a primary teacher from Greece, who lives in Glasgow, Scotland. I have a MEd in Inclusive Education and I am currently finishing my MSc in Educational Policy.

Who developed the course?

The University of Glasgow

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. It is a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities.

  • Established

    1451
  • Location

    Glasgow, Scotland, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 70Source: QS World University Rankings 2020

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$89/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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