Gatchalian wants public schools to have special education centers

Senator Win Gatchalian filed a bill calling for the establishment of special education (SPED) centers in all public schools in the country.

Under Senate Bill No. 171 or the Inclusive Education for Children and Youth with Special Needs Act, the government will establish SPED centers to promote inclusive education and meet the needs of children and youths with disabilities and other special needs.

“This could be done by establishing Inclusive Education Learning Resource Centers in all public schools divisions nationwide,” Gatchalian said.

“The SPED Centers shall function as a resource center that shall assist in promoting inclusive education to capacitate regular schools to effectively handle the needs of children and youth with disability," he said.

Each center will be adequately equipped and will have the necessary personnel such as SPED teachers and other specialists to attend to the children.

Department of Education data shows that approximately 303,109 children who have special education needs were enrolled in public schools as of the school year 2016-2017, Gatchalian said.

“Physical, cognitive, psychological, and/or communication disabilities prevent them from fully participating in regular schools," the senator said.

“Every child has the right to an education commensurate with his abilities and to the development of his skills for the improvement of his capacity for service to himself and to his fellowmen,” he said. —KG, GMA News