Impact study Onwijs Onderwijs

How can inclusive education truly work in practice? ‘Onwijs Onderwijs’ explores how primary schools can grow into inclusive learning environments where every child can learn, participate and develop their talents.

Research theme: Diversity and inclusion

Field of interest: Education

Duration: 1/09/2023 - 31/08/2027

Financing: PWO

In short

International research shows that inclusive education benefits both the academic and socio-emotional development of children. Nevertheless, the number of pupils enrolled in special education in Flanders has been rising again, despite policy initiatives such as the M-decree and the learning support decree.

In the ‘Onwijs Onderwijs’ project, ‘De Genereuzen’ support primary school teams in their development into so-called flagship schools for inclusive education. The guidance is based on the belief that high-quality education and inclusion can go hand in hand, creating maximal opportunities for every child to develop. This research investigates the impact of this approach on the self-efficacy of the teachers, school teams and other partners involved. We also examine which instruments and conditions strengthen the guidance and support trajectories needed for inclusive education.

Need and relevance

Schools face the challenge of supporting diversity in the classroom in a sustainable way. At the same time, according to ‘De Genereuzen’, the idea still persists that “adapted education is better suited for children with disabilities and that this helps safeguarding the quality level in mainstream education.”

The ‘Onwijs Onderwijs’ project aims to demonstrate “that education where every child is welcome can perfectly be combined with high-quality teaching, where every child can fully develop their talents, acquire knowledge and learn to engage with a diverse mix of classmates.” But what is needed to make such inclusive school development possible? This is what we explore together with pupils, parents, teachers and other stakeholders within and around the school. In doing so, we aim to support schools in strengthening participation, collaboration and equal educational opportunities for all.

From approach to impact

Using a mixed-method approach, we investigate the impact of the support trajectory during the period from 2023 to 2027. We combine different research methods to gain insight into the changes and dynamics generated by the project within the participating schools.

The research focuses on:

the experiences of teachers, pupils, parents and school teams;
the evolution towards inclusive practices in the participating primary schools;
the impact on participation, wellbeing and learning processes;
the conditions and tools that support inclusive school development.

In this way, the research contributes to knowledge development on inclusive education in Flanders and inspires schools to continue building sustainable inclusive learning environments and schools for everyone.