FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY IN THE CLASSROOM

Gaborone International School • June 16, 2023

What is Inclusive Education? 


This world has gradually moved from discriminatory ways of education to the inclusive type of education. Inclusive education according to Gravels (2008), is when all learners, regardless of any challenges, are placed in an age-appropriate general education class.


In these classes, they receive high quality instruction, interventions and support that enable them to meet success in the core curriculum. It is in inclusive education that every learner is relevant and is part and parcel of every activity rather than being excluded for any reason, directly or indirectly.


It curtails the essence of catering for every learner regardless of abilities. If the system is handled properly, all learners gain academically and socially. This gain will improve every learner’s self-esteem; hence a desired performance will be evident.


Creating a Conducive Environment for Inclusion 


For inclusion to be a success, a teacher should create an environment in which all learners can accomplish their best learning opportunities. Taking into consideration that learners have widely disparate capabilities, the teacher should therefore tailor the environment so that it is compatible with each and every learner’s needs and capabilities.


The learning environment should provide a sense of belonging. It should be an open and welcoming environment. In the sense that learners should express themselves and their opinions without fear of teasing, retribution, or backlash. This emphasizes the fact that the classroom should be a platform for freedom of expression. It should be the place where every learner should respect the views of others, show empathy and a zero tolerance to bullying. 


Respect in an inclusive classroom should be a key element. If ever the suitable environment is created, learners would not hesitate to express their opinions and confusions without being teased. This would then mean that every child’s opportunity to learn is maximized. Learners will be able to showcase their capabilities.


All the materials that learners need to bring out their potential should be made available so that learners will explore and discover knowledge on their own. Exploration is good in cultivating their critical thinking skills. This will also provide a more holistic view of given tasks.


There should not be any room for favouritism towards a certain group of learners or being negative to others. This despises the whole aim of inclusion. The teacher should exercise equity in the classroom to avoid such practices. The teacher should, by all means, lessen any form of literal and symbolic exclusion that may emerge.


In a nutshell, meeting diverse learning needs is imperative to building an inclusive classroom and the contribution of a conducive environment is vital.


Adapting the Curriculum to Meet Diverse Needs 


Besides creating a conducive environment for inclusivity, knowing the learners’ capabilities, and adapting the teaching methods according to their needs is also vital. The main essence being to ensure that no learner is left behind. An adapted curriculum is a necessity. This is the process and the delivery of instruction. 


It shapes how and what children learn. It takes into consideration individual learning needs and abilities of every learner. The adapted curriculum should meet children at their point of need academically. The teacher adjusts the curriculum so that it includes different instructional strategies, materials and assessments that would cater for specific strengths and weaknesses of learners.


The adapted curriculum offers teachers the opportunity to individualize learning approaches. These approaches are based on what learners know and where the learners are expected to go next. This curriculum is beneficial because it invokes interests in learners in what they are doing. It develops social and emotional skills with peers. Learners are exposed to critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This instils confidence in learners because of the positive achievements. 


Administering Adapted Assessments 


Adapted assessment should be administered in class. These are the assessments that adapt to the test taker’s ability. The difficulty of questions should differ in their level of difficulty to accommodate all abilities across. The assessments can be done in an informal way where questions are asked orally to establish whether they have understood, and the objective has been met.


Practicing Adapted Teaching for Inclusivity 


Adapted teaching should be practiced as well. It is basically an approach that tailors instruction to meet the unique needs of each learner. This approach provides a more personalized and engaging learning experience. It empowers learners to take control of their own learning and achieve their full potential. 


This can be achieved by creating a supportive learning environment. For example, flexible seating, where learners choose positions where they are comfortable to work. This brings about productivity. Learners can be exposed to gaming which brings about fun and engagement. 


Collaborative style can be introduced. It encourages learners to work together in groups to complete tasks. This fosters teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills.


Encouraging Peer Acceptance 


For inclusivity to be successful in the classroom, a learner should be accepted by peers. The attitude, prejudice and beliefs of peers can affect the success of inclusion in a classroom. The teacher should encourage social interaction in the classroom. This helps everyone to develop an attitude of acceptance. Tolerance should be emphasized.


Ensuring Accessibility 


Accessibility is also imperative in the success of inclusion in the classroom. Information, activities, and environments should be accessible. There should be access to architectural designs or facilities as well. Accessibility eliminates barriers. There should also be access to content in terms of media access. Media should be as usable as possible. It must not impede the user’s ability to excel. 


Inclusivity is very much possible in the classroom if the teachers adhere to the requirements of the inclusive education.

Starting High School Strong

By Principal: Mr Thomas Ramakgoakgoa • January 26, 2026
A New Beginning Walking into high school for the first-time marks more than your first day of school; it marks the first step into a community that believes in shaping not only your mind, but your character. As you walked into this hall, you became part of a school that stands firmly on three pillars: Generosity, Integrity, and Self-Discipline . These words are not decorations on a slide; they are the heartbeats of our culture. They describe the kind of person we hope you will become and the kind of student who thrives here. 2. Generosity: The Strength of a Giving Heart Generosity is more than sharing what you have; it is sharing who you are . It shows in the small, everyday actions: offering help when no one asks, listening when a classmate struggles, choosing kindness even when it is not the easiest choice. As your orientation programme highlights, you are entering a community that values being helpful, warm-hearted, considerate, and thoughtful. Generosity builds trust, and trust builds strong teams, friendships, and classrooms. “We rise by lifting others.” 3. Integrity: Doing What Is Right, Even When Unseen Integrity is the quiet voice inside you that says, “Be honest. Be sincere. Be the best version of yourself.” It is the foundation of responsibility, whether that means completing your assignments truthfully, respecting school spaces, or carrying yourself with honour in every interaction. Your presentation reminds you that integrity is about honesty, uprightness, sincerity, and trustworthiness. When integrity guides your choices, people learn they can rely on you, and more importantly, you learn to rely on yourself . “Integrity is choosing courage over comfort.” 4. Self-Discipline: The Driver of Your Success Self-discipline is the ability to manage your thoughts, your behaviour, and your emotions so that you can reach your goals. It is showing determination in your studies, balancing your work and activities, and staying consistent even when distractions feel tempting. In this school, self-discipline is not imposed; it is developed. It grows each time you set goals, follow instructions, respect routines, greet teachers, take care of your environment, and take responsibility for your own learning, just as the orientation sessions will guide you today. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” 5. What These Three Values Look Like in Daily Life Here at GIS, these values take shape in very practical ways: Generosity shows when you include others, support your classmates, and contribute positively during group work. Integrity shows when you follow the code of conduct, wear your uniform with pride, and uphold the standards introduced to you today. Self-discipline shows when you manage your time, focus during lessons, and commit yourself to excellence, in academics, in sports, and in behaviour. Together, these values do more than make you a good student; they help you become a grounded, confident, and capable young person. 6. Closing: The Journey Ahead As you begin this new chapter, remember that GIS is not only a school, but also a community where you will grow, learn, and discover who you are becoming. The expectations set out today are not barriers; they are pathways. Pathways designed to help you develop character, build resilience, and walk confidently toward your future. Carry generosity in your actions, integrity in your decisions, and self-discipline in your journey. Here at GIS, who you become matters just as much as what you achieve. Welcome to your new beginning.

Empowering Digital Citizens at GIS

By Ackisilia Matsveru • October 3, 2025
In today’s connected world, young people grow up in a digital society where learning, friendships, and entertainment all happen online. At GIS, we see this not only as a reality to manage, but as an opportunity to empower our learners. Digital citizenship education is about much more than keeping students safe, it is about equipping them to use technology ethically, confidently, and effectively so they can thrive in the digital age. Why Digital Citizenship Matters Every post, click, or share leaves a digital footprint. These footprints can shape a learner’s reputation, relationships, and even their future opportunities. At GIS, students are taught to manage their online presence responsibly and make ethical choices. Through ICT lessons and the use of integrated platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Stasy, MAP, and ADvLEARN , learners don’t just study the theory of online safety, they practise it every day. Each GIS student logs in with personalised accounts, develops strong digital ethics, and is discouraged from behaviours that could lead to cybercrime.

Choosing the Right School for Your Child

August 21, 2025
Selecting a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a parent. A good school nurtures not just academic growth, but also social, emotional, and moral development. A good school does not only allow parents to dream of possibilities for their children but also assist in making those dreams become realities! With so many options available, public and private, it’s essential to know what to look for in making this important decision. During your next visit to a prospective school for your precious child, put some consideration towards the following important aspects of a school: 1. A Strong Educational Foundation Check for a clear and balanced curriculum that emphasizes core subjects like reading, math, science, and the arts. Ask about teaching methods and how the school measures progress. Look for schools that promote critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. Reputable schools produce excellent results, annually. At GIS we use Guided Readers, a digital platform for Standard 1-3 which gauges the reading ability of individual students. We also use ADvLEARN in Standard 7, Form 1-4 which uses adaptive technology to give tailor-made mathematics exercises to meet students where they are at, building them up to where they should be and beyond! Our campus is equipped with seven ICT labs, five physics/chemistry labs and two robotics labs. Our teachers are all equipped with laptos, projectors and sound bars to bring the class to life! We also have drones, VR-headsets, lazar cutters and 3-D printers – equipping our students to gain valuable experiences, preparing them for the real world! 2. Dedicated and Qualified Staff Meet the teachers and staff. Are they approachable, qualified, and passionate about education? A supportive, well-trained teaching staff can make a huge difference in your child’s learning experience. At GIS, all our teachers are qualified with 25% of our staff holding post-graduate degrees i.e. Masters and Honours Degrees. Another 46% hold degrees i.e. B.A, BEd or BSc. with the remainder of 29% holding a teaching diploma or equivalent. Our teachers enjoy regular training opportunities through our internal training platform, Sirius. Our teachers are thus life-long learners themselves, passionate about education and best-practice. We care about our individual students’ wellbeing and remain in close contact with parents throughout their child’s educational journey with us. 3. Registration, Health and Safety It is imperative to select a school which is registered with the necessary authorities as an operating school. All schools are bound by specific health and safety regulations with proven steps taken to comply. GIS High School is registered with Cambridge. The Primary School is registered with the Ministry of Education for PSLE examinations at the end of Standard 7. Being part of ADvTECH means that the school is subjected to rigorous health and safety protocol with internal and external audits being carried out annually. 4. A Positive School Culture Tour the school to observe the environment. Are students engaged and respectful? Do teachers and administrators seem enthusiastic and caring? A positive, inclusive atmosphere contributes significantly to a child’s confidence and motivation. We are proud to share that GIS-students hail from 32 different countries. We truly celebrate our unique cultures and individual strengths. Even so, we are grounded in Botswana values, taking care of our community and environment. Have a look out for our community service projects and participation in environmental programmes often shared on social media. 4. Student Support and Enrichment Opportunities Look for a school that provides more than just academics—such as counselling services, extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, and arts programs. These contribute to a well-rounded education and help children discover their interests and talents. At GIS, we have an on-site psychologist who assist with academic support and counselling. We also have a dedicated Deputy Principal of Pastoral Care and Discipline, ensuring that students are guided through each phase while reaching their full potential. Students can select from a vast range of extra-mural activities including but not limited to soccer, netball, swimming, athletics, basketball, table tennis, spelling bee competitions, maths Olympiads, debate and moot court. 5. Parental Involvement Strong schools often welcome parent engagement. Whether through regular communication or active partnerships between home and school, it truly supports student success. At the end of every academic term, parents are invited to our campus to meet with their children’s teachers to discuss the term’s progress and results. Parents are also invited to termly Coffee with the Heads of Schools during which important updates are shared. Parents are always welcome to reach out to our teachers and school management to support where needed. Final Thoughts Choosing the right school is a deeply personal decision. Take your time to visit, ask questions, and trust your instincts. Remember: the best school is the one where your child feels safe, supported, and inspired to learn!  Allow us to dream with you and assist your child to ascend to their aspirations! You are invited to visit our school and to meet our principals.