CARING FOR OUR SPECIAL CHILDREN

Manila Bulletin Sat, Sep 15, 2012

THE Department of Education estimates that 5.4 million children, or over 13 percent of all children in the country, have special needs. They may be blind, deaf, mute, or suffering from some other physical handicap. Others have autism, or are afflicted with intellectual, psychological, or physiological limitations. Still others are unfortunately bedridden, unable to attend school or lead a normal life. On the other hand, the remaining 1.2 million of these special children exhibit superior intelligence, exceptional creativity, or acute talent for leadership and organization. Whichever category, these children have needs so specific that modified schooling practices are necessary for their education. And yet there are only 155 special education centers in the whole country, reaching a minuscule 3 percent. It is urgent to institute mechanisms of care for our special children. Last week, I sponsored on the Senate floor the Special Education Act, a consolidation of several related bills into one program to address the neglected state of our special children. The Special Education Act will grant our children access to specialized education in all public and private elementary and secondary schools throughout the country. It will establish the Bureau of Special Education (BSPED) - a body to formulate and administer a curriculum for special kids, a continuing research on programs and interventions on how they can lead more independent and participative lives, and implement recreational and artistic activities. It will also provide financial and medical assistance to the poor among them. At least one SPED Center will be set up in each school division, and at least three larger divisions. These centers will complement regular schools through training and tailor-made teaching modules and materials. Specially trained teachers will staff each center, together with an educational psychologist, a social worker, and a city or municipal health officer. The counterpart measure has been approved in the Lower House, and I am optimistic it will likewise be passed in the Senate shortly. Our country's special children are a gift and responsibility entrusted to us. By providing better educational assistance and support, we help raise awareness, understanding and acceptance of them among classmates and the community. We also give them and their families a broader range of options - and a future filled with hope. Email: angara.ed@gmail.com Website: www.edangara.com