Inclusivity in learning

Ranjeeta Prajapati

Whenever I think about the Mahabharata stories, I think about Arjuna and Eklavya. In my 22 years of experience, I have seen that every class seems to have an Arjuna and an Eklavya. They were both excellent students, and yet very different from each other.

Arjuna was a student of Guru Dronacharya. The guru believed in him and gave all his teachings selflessly. Eklavya, who was perhaps more skilled, wanted to learn from Dronacharya as well. However, despite recognizing Eklavya’s skill, the guru chose to ignore him because of his promise to make Arjuna the most skilled archer. Was this right on the guru’s part?

Even though the guru refused to teach Eklavya, Eklavya’s love for his guru never changed. He made an idol of the guru and learned archery on his own. His determination, belief, and perseverance made him a better archer than Arjuna.

This shows us how important self-determination is. If you are determined to achieve something, sooner or later, you will achieve it.

Though as an educator, I respect guru Dronacharya, and as a student, I admire Arjuna, my favourite student will always be Eklavya. His story reminds me about the importance of self-motivation and learning despite limitations.

This also brings up the idea of inclusive learning. As teachers, we must ensure that every student, whether an Arjuna or an Eklavya, gets equal opportunities to learn and grow. Each child comes with unique strengths and potential, and it’s our responsibility to nurture them all without bias, so that no talent is left unrecognized.

What about you? How do you see inclusivity in learning?

The author has been working in the field of education for 20 years now. She is now the vice principal at a reputed school in Bengaluru. She is also the author of three books. Her most recent book My Poetry… My Feelings (1, 2, & 3) is available for sale on Flipkart. She can be reached at ranjeetaprajapati.vns@gmail.com.