Explore
Explain“Human beings are more alike than unalike.”
Maya Angelou, Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now, 1993.
All over the world, people have different clothing. The differences say a lot about where we come from: it's hot or cold, there's wool, cotton or other materials available. These boys play soccer in Bhutan’s traditional outfit, suited for the cool climate.
Look! These girls in Peru, on the other side of the world, are also playing soccer in their traditional skirts! Everywhere kids like you and them love to play soccer with their friends. It makes no difference what they wear.
How are we different?
You may notice that the kids in your class are very different: there are girls and boys, some speak a different language at home, others have a different skin color - these differences are what we call diversity. What other differences can you think of?
A school for everyone
In Switzerland, children with disabilities are encouraged to attend regular schools. If this is not possible, they can receive an education in special classes or schools. Although their needs are now better taken into account, schools still need to work to ensure that every kid’s right to education is respected.
Design for everyone
Imagine trying to put on and button your trousers with only one hand, or not being able to stand on your feet. Everyday tasks like these can make life hard for kids with disabilities. Luckily, special clothing can make it easier to get dressed. Small, thoughtful changes can make a big difference!
Each person in this group portrait is a unique combination of colors expressing their personality and their style. They are all very different, and yet together, these differences compose a single harmonious image! That's the beauty of diversity.
Did
you
know
?
Everyone is unique
Different children learn new skills in different ways. Children learn in different places, and children get different types of help from people around them. All of these things help make you who you are. Stephanie Wermelinger, researcher
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Wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?
Diversity helps us see the world differently and enjoy it more. Differences help us learn from each other, so let’s celebrate them!
4
in 100: born abroad!
7,000+
languages worldwide
?
religions
Clothes to express yourself with
EngageDifficulty
Easy
Want to know more?
Bibliography
Inclusive Education
Alcorn, A., Alonso, N., Bertoni, I., Dhingra, C., (2024). Why neurodiversity is relevant for all schoolchildren. BOLD. Teachers’ Voices Season 3 Episode 7. Why neurodiversity is relevant for all schoolchildren – BOLD
Bates, K. (2021). How can teachers support children with ADHD? BOLD. How can teachers support children with ADHD? – BOLD
Brookman-Byrne, A., Van Atteveldt, N. (2022). How can we make education systems fairer for children? BOLD. How can we make education systems fairer for children? – BOLD
Dumont, H. (2017). How to Deal with Students’ Individual Differences. BOLD. How to deal with students’ individual differences – BOLD
Enabling Education Network (2005), Learning from Difference: an action research guide for capturing the experience of inclusive education. EENET, Manchester. https://www.eenet.org.uk/resources/docs/Learning%20from%20Difference%20Guidelines.pdf
Kaplan, I., (2022), Welcoming Diversity in the Learning Environment: Teachers' Handbook for Inclusive Education, UNESCO Office Bangkok and Regional Bureau for Education in Asia and the Pacific, Bista, Min Bahadur. Welcoming diversity in the learning environment: teachers' handbook for inclusive education | UNESCO
Kefallinou, A. (ed.), Murdoch, D., (ed.) (2023), Voices into Action: Including the Voices of Learners and their Families in Educational Decision-Making. European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education. Odense. Voices into Action: Including the Voices of Learners and their Families in Educational Decision-Making – Final Summary Report (european-agency.org)
Diversity in schools
Givord, P. (2019), Does greater social diversity in schools have an impact on equity in learning outcomes? Pisa In Focus n°97. OECD, Paris. Does greater social diversity in schools have an impact on equity in learning outcomes? | READ online (oecd-ilibrary.org)
OECD (2019), How Education Systems Respond to Cultural Diversity in Schools: New Measures in TALIS 2018. Teaching in Focus n°25 OECD Publishing, Paris. How education systems respond to cultural diversity in schools: New measures in TALIS 2018 | READ online (oecd-ilibrary.org)
OECD (2015), Immigrant Students at School: Easing the Journey towards Integration. OECD Reviews of Migrant Education. OECD Publishing, Paris. Immigrant Students at School : Easing the Journey towards Integration | OECD Reviews of Migrant Education | OECD iLibrary (oecd-ilibrary.org)
Learning objectives
Based on Curriculum 21, German-speaking Switzerland, 2024.
The students …
TTG.3.A.1 for 9+
2 b) can understand cultural and historical aspects of objects and assess their significance for everyday life (e.g., clothing, living, play, mobility, electricity).
can recognize everyday objects with a symbolic dimension (e.g., headwear, jewelry).
NMG.7.1 for 9+
2 c) can recognize the importance of origin and belonging (e.g., family, language, clubs, country of origin, religion) to people
2 e) can question stereotypes and prejudices about people with different lifestyles (e.g., on the playground, in media, politics).
NMG.10.1 for 9+
2 f) can empathize with other people, respect their feelings, needs and rights and stand up for them (e.g., in disputes, bullying).
NMG 11.3 for 9+
2 c) can describe what people are committed to and reflect on the reasons and values expressed. Justice, humanity, solidarity.
Copyright and licenses
Collage on the cork board
Ghana UNICEF District Level Change Model Afram Plains, UNICEF Ghana, Roger Yeboah, 2023, Copyright
Ivory Coast Children in a school supported by the TRECC Program in Ivory Coast, Clara Sanchiz for Jacobs Foundation, Copyright
Colombia Colombia School, Carlos Alberto Carballo for Jacobs Foundation, Copyright
Guatemala Guatemala City / Guatemala - August 27, 2015: group portrait of indigenous girls in traditional school uniform in public school in Guatemala, Juan Alberto Casado, Alamy, Copyright
Israel BACK TO SCHOOL, National Library of Israel via Europeana, In Copyright - Educational use permitted.
Iran Veiled schoolgirls at Meidan-e Imam Mosque, Isfahan, Iran, imageBROKER.com GmbH & Co. KG, Alamy Stock Photo, , Copyright
India South India Tamil Nadu Madurai Street scene young schoolchildren schoolgirls in uniform at girls' school. dov makabaw India, Alamy Stock Photo, Copyright
Bhutan Children wearing gho and Kira, national Bhutan dress for men and women, Bhutan, South Asia, Imagebroker.com GmbH, Alamy. Copyright.
Ukraine ODESSA UKRAINE - September 1, 2019: First call. 1 September is Day of Knowledge. Lesik Aleksandr, Dreamstime.com, Copyright
Switzerland Switzerland Bildungslandschaften, Annual report 2011, Jacobs Foundation, Copyright
Canada 4 janvier 2023, marque la première Journée nationale de la jupe à ruban au Canada, The Canadian Press, Alamy Stock Photo, Copyright
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