The document summarizes the Philippine Department of Education's vision and policy for inclusive education for children with special needs. The vision is for these children to receive a quality basic education that allows them to reach their full potential and participate in society as proud and self-sufficient Filipinos. The policy aims to accelerate access to education for children with special needs through inclusive classrooms, support services, vocational programs, work training and opportunities for independent living. It also outlines strategies around legislation, teacher training, family involvement and partnerships to achieve this vision.

1. Ma. Maria Manette Apostol Madrid, Ed.D.
Professor
Institute of Graduate Studies
Panpacific University North Philippines
Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines
martzmonette@yahoo.com

2. The Department of Education
clearly states its vision for
children with special needs
in consonance with the
philosophy of inclusive
education, thus:

3. “The State, community and family
hold a common vision for the Filipino
child with special needs. By the 21st
century, it is envisioned that he/she
could be adequately provided with
basic education. This education should
fully realize his/her own potentials for
development and productivity as well
as being capable of self-expression of
his/her rights in society. More
importantly, he/she is God-loving and
proud of being a Filipino.

4. The policy on Inclusive
Education for All is adopted
in the Philippines to
accelerate access to
education among children
and youth with special
needs.

5. It is also envisioned that the child
with special needs will get full
parental and community support for
his/her education w/o discrimination
of any kind. This special child should
also be provided with a healthy
environment along with leisure and
recreation and social security
measures” (Department of Education
Handbook on Inclusive
Education, 2000).

6. Inclusive education forms
an integral component of
the overall educational
system that is committed to
an appropriate education
for all children and youth
with special needs.

7. The goal of the special
education programs of the
Department of Education all
over the country is to provide
children with special needs
appropriate educational
services within the mainstream
of basic education.

8. The two-pronged goal
includes the development of
key strategies on
legislation, human resource
development, family
involvement and active
participation of government
and non-government
organizations.

9. Likewise, there are
major issues to address on
attitudinal barriers of the
general public and effort
towards the
institutionalization and
sustainability of special
education programs and
services.

10. Provide support
services, vocational
programs and work
training, employment
opportunities for efficient
community participation
and independent living,

11. Provide a flexible and
individualized support
system for children and
youth with special needs in
a regular class environment
in schools nearest the
students’ home.

12. Implement a life-long
curriculum to include early
intervention and parent
education, basic education
and transition programs on
vocational training or
preparation for
college, and

13.  Make available an array educational
programs and services: the Special
Education Center built on “a school
within a school concept” as the
resource center for children and youth
with special needs; inclusive education
in regular schools, special and
residential schools, homebound
instruction, hospital instruction and
community-based programs;
alternative modes of service delivery
to reach the advantaged children in
far-flung towns, depressed areas and
underserved barangays.

14. Inciong, Teresita
G., Quijano, Yolanda S. and
Capulong, Yolanda T. Introduction
to Special Education.
Manila, Philippines: Rex
Bookstore, 2007.