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Due date: 10 September 2025
QUESTION 1: RIGHTS-BASED EPISTEMOLOGY
Rights-based Epistemology and Inclusive Classrooms
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is a
landmark agreement that seeks to protect the dignity, equality, and participation of persons
with disabilities. Its general principles highlight respect for autonomy, non-discrimination,
inclusion, accessibility, equality of opportunity, gender equality, and respect for children’s
evolving capacities (United Nations, 2006). When applied in education, these principles
encourage teachers to view learners with disabilities not as passive recipients of charity but
as equal participants with rights. A rights-based epistemology in an inclusive classroom
means that knowledge and teaching methods are shaped by recognition of these rights,
ensuring that all children are empowered to learn and participate meaningfully.
Respect for dignity and autonomy
One of the most important principles of the CRPD is respect for inherent dignity and
individual autonomy. In a classroom this means giving learners with disabilities the chance
to make choices about how they learn, what tools they use, and how they participate. For
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INTRODUCTION
Inclusive education is grounded in the recognition that every learner has the right to
quality, equitable, and meaningful learning opportunities. The United Nations
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) reinforces a rights-
based approach, ensuring that learners with disabilities are supported and
empowered in classrooms. In practice, this requires teachers to create inclusive
spaces where participation, dignity, and accessibility are prioritised. Equally
important is the application of social constructivist principles, which emphasise
learning through interaction, collaboration, and shared meaning-making, enabling all
learners to contribute and learn from one another. Furthermore, Bronfenbrenner’s
ecological systems theory highlights how multiple layers of influence, family, school,
community, and broader society, shape a learner’s development. By combining
rights-based epistemology, social constructivism, and systems thinking, teachers can
design inclusive classrooms that remove barriers, embrace diversity, and actively
support the holistic development of all learners. This assignment explores these
frameworks with practical strategies.
QUESTION 1: RIGHTS-BASED EPISTEMOLOGY
Rights-based Epistemology and Inclusive Classrooms
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) is
a landmark agreement that seeks to protect the dignity, equality, and participation of
persons with disabilities. Its general principles highlight respect for autonomy, non-
discrimination, inclusion, accessibility, equality of opportunity, gender equality, and
respect for children’s evolving capacities (United Nations, 2006). When applied in
education, these principles encourage teachers to view learners with disabilities not
as passive recipients of charity but as equal participants with rights. A rights-based
epistemology in an inclusive classroom means that knowledge and teaching
methods are shaped by recognition of these rights, ensuring that all children are
empowered to learn and participate meaningfully.
Respect for dignity and autonomy