Inclusive Higher Education with Mentoring - a road map for Medical Career Choice

Abstract

UNESCO promotes Inclusive Education systems that remove the barriers limiting the participation and

achievement of all learners, respect diverse needs, abilities and characteristics and that eliminate all forms

of discrimination in the learning environment. Recent research shows an annual increase in the number of

students with learning and other disabilities to higher education institutions. The purpose of getting admitted

to a higher education institution is not mere completion of a degree, but finding a suitable career and overall

development as an individual, which is not simple to achieve. The word Mentor evolved to mean trusted

advisor, friend, teacher and wise person from the famous epic Odessy. India being a country with diverse

landscape, culture, language and heritage, the challenge becomes more complex. Different boards in India

offer school education both in English and vernacular languages. With a view of offering social justice and

equal opportunity, reservation policy is strictly followed both in education and in employment. The current

paper aims at finding out the challenges in higher education, career choice and role of mentoring for an

effective inclusive society. To gauge the gap in and the impact of mentoring, the researcher has identified the

final year higher secondary students of different boards and the entry-level UG students in medical education

among Trichy and Tanjore districts in Tamil Nadu. The present study reveals that students of entry-level UG

medical education have stressed the need for mentoring at school level for effective choice of career.