Ultimate Guide: The What’s And Why’s Of SPED In Education

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s study shows that nearly 240 million children around the world are living with disabilities–49 percent more likely to have never attended school and 42 percent less likely to have foundational reading and numeracy skills.

In the Philippines, Philhealth estimates around 5.1 million children are living with disabilities. There were 126,598 enrolled learners with disabilities for the academic year 2021-2022, a steep 35% decline from a pre-pandemic figure of 360,879 enrollees.

The Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines has been working to implement inclusive education, following R.A. No. 7277 and R.A. No. 11650, allowing students with special needs to be educated in regular schools both individually and alongside their non-disabled peers.

What is RA 7277?

Also known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, Republic Act 7277 highlights the following provisions:

Access to quality education

It states that the State shall ensure that quality education and opportunities shall be made available to persons with disability. “(The State) shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all disabled persons. It shall be unlawful for any learning institutions to deny a disabled person admission to any course it offers by reason of handicap or disability.”

Assistance to disabled students

It states that the State shall provide assistance to economically challenged but deserving disabled students.

Special Education

It states that “The State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of special education for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, mentally retarded persons and other type of exceptional children in all regions of the country.”

Vocational, technical, non-formal education, training programs

It states that the state shall provide training in civics, vocational efficiency, sports, and non-formal education that cater to learners with disabilities.

State Universities and Colleges

If plausible and needed, State universities and colleges shall be responsible for research, training materials, technical aids, special education instruction and inclusion of the Special Education for Disabled (SPED) course in the curriculum. The state, in turn, shall allocate necessary funds and facilities.

What is R.A.11650?

Republic Act 11650 is an “act instituting a policy of inclusion and services for learners with disabilities in support of inclusive education, establishing inclusive Learning Resource Centers of learners with disabilities in all school districts, municipalities and cities providing for standards, appropriating funds therefore, and for other purposes.”

What is SPED?

SPED is part of the inclusive education program of DepEd. Inclusive education “aims to promote the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education.” SPED is a holistic approach with designed programs and interventions to cater to learners with special educational needs. In some cases, special education classes may be offered in SPED learning centers or specialized schools equipped with resources and trained personnel to address the specific needs of students with disabilities.

The SPED system harnesses collaboration among families, communities, and medical agencies to provide supportive guidance, counseling, and referrals.

Related: Ano Ang Mainstream In Special Education At Paano Ito Makakatulong Sa Batang May Special Needs?

What is needed to enroll in a SPED center?

Any special needs learner may inquire with the nearest SPED center where one is located. Homeschooling is also an option under the SPED program but this has to be coordinated with the nearest SPED Center where an itinerant teacher or schools is implementing the distance education program for children with disabilities.

Tuition fee is free in all public schools but a fee may be required by a private school, depending on the interventions that may be required. However, per RA 9442 Amending RA 7277 the learner with PWD ID shall be entitled to a discount of 20%. Typical documentary requirements may include a birth certificate, medical assessment or diagnosis, and IEP, or Individualized Education Plan.

Why IEP (Individualized Education Plan)?

Any child who receives special education services must have an Individualized Education Plan or IEP. It has two general purposes:

1. to set reasonable learning goals for the child
2. to state the services that the school shall provide to the child

Why the need for assessment?

The placement of the learner whether to a SPED center or from a SPED center to a regular class shall depend on the severity and nature of his or her disability. The performance of the learner with disability in a SPED class may also serve as the basis for deciding the learner’s placement in a regular class. Note however that schools should not reject any learner based on the disability. Should such an unfortunate issue arise, seek the assistance of the District or Division Office for appropriate investigation and action.

What is the cut-off age for SPED learners?

The entry age is five years old while his or her exit age in basic education is 24 years old. However, if the learner with a disability is beyond the school-age of a typically developing learner in basic education, he/she can be recommended for other options like the Alternative Learning System or ALS program.

Read Also: Financial Planning Tips For Parents With Special Needs Children

Why consider SPED?

There are 13,408 schools with the SPED program and 898 SPED centers (683 public / 215 private) in the Philippines with more than 4,000 SPED teachers aiming to provide inclusive education and protect the rights of the special needs learners where “no child is left behind.” Raising a child with special needs is not an easy feat. It can be very costly, so every ounce of support and access to the quality education they so much deserve will have an impact on improving the quality of life for these learners.

For a list of SPED schools nationwide or schools that may offer special needs education, do visit the website of the National Council on Disability Affairs.