tackling social inequalities

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Various social inequalities exist based on one’s economic status, ethnicity, race, religion or gender. Social marginalization, disadvantage and inequality are all severe social and economic challenges, and education is one of the main ways to tackle them. Enhancing access to education and training, characterized by high-quality teaching for children coming from a low-socioeconomic background, investing in skill building, reaching out to the pre-school sector, promoting inclusive education, and offering good access to extracurricular activities are all important measures to tackle social inequalities across any education system.

Research shows that in a result-oriented school climate everyday teaching practices often mirror and reproduce the patterns of inequality present in the larger society, even by excluding marginalized groups of students, while focusing on the success of others. This is a pressing issue when it comes to early school leaving since there is a strong link between early dropping out and social inequality.  Social inequalities can be addressed inside the classroom by creating a collaborative and supportive environment, by applying student-centred teaching methods, and nurturing trusting relationships between students, and between students and teachers.

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