Leaving no one behind: bringing equity and inclusion back into education

Abstract

This chapter argues that equity and inclusion may be understood in different ways according to certain, dissimilar, philosophical traditions. This is exemplified by neoliberal interpretations of equity in education that have gained currency after the turn of the century and which construe equity as the achievement of quality an excellence in learning outcomes. The chapter contends that this take on equity is limited and may lead to the reproduction of disadvantage and marginalization. It is thus proposed that equity and inclusion be conceptualized under a notion of social justice so as to deconstruct inequality and subvert dominant utilitarian discourses. Finally, the chapter asserts that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the education goal (SDG 4-Education 2030) represent an invaluable opportunity to counter neoliberalism in education and to ideate different resistance practices.