Diversity and Social Justice in Education

Abstract

T his chapter assesses how education responds to diversity and interconnected inequality, and how these responses work towards human ourishing and social justice. It examines di erent forms of diversity, namely, race/ ethnicity/language, religion, gender, sexuality, social class, disability and neurodiversity (i.e. learning di erences); as well as how these intersect. Sexuality and neurodiversity are relatively recent additions to the diversity discussion. While o cially advocating for 'equal educational opportunities', governments variously prioritize di erent forms of diversity, guided by historical, political, social and economic contexts. Measures to address diversity have names such as 'multicultural', 'inclusive', 'human rights' and 'diversity and social justice' education. Policy implementation varies across societies and can be enhanced by e ective monitoring, increased funding and relative autonomy of local actors to interpret policies to suit local circumstances. Given the critical role that teachers play, teacher education programmes should prepare culturally responsive educators.

Measuring Inclusion in Vocational Education and Training through the Prism of Justice of Education

“…At the forefront of his Theory of Justice is a just distribution of basic liberties and goods, including universal access to public education. Both individuals and society benefit from this -individuals because they can realise their potential, while society benefits from promoting social cohesion and trust in public institutions through education (Christodoulou, et al, 2022). Rawls' Theory of Justice (Rawls, 1971) is based on two requirements.…”