By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
The Department of Education (DepEd) enjoined schools to conduct appropriate activities related to the celebration of the 2019 National Disability Prevention Rehabilitation (NPDR) Week.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones
(DepEd / MANILA BULLETIN)
With theme “Lokal na Pamahalaan: Kabalikat sa Pagtupad ng Karapatan ng mga Taong May Kapansanan,” the 41st NDPR Week is celebrated from July 17 to 23. Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd memorandum no. 85 s. of 2019 explained that the celebration is pursuant to the Presidential Proclamation (PP) No. 1870 s. 1979.
“The celebration aims to stimulate public awareness on the issues and problems of disability,” Briones said. “Hence, everyone is encouraged to participate and take an active role in the upliftment of the economic and social conditions of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the country,” she added.
Briones said that DepEd, as a member of the governing board created by the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), “supports the observance” of the said celebration by undertaking various activities such as hanging of advocacy streamers in conspicuous places of schools or offices; submission of agency feedback report (AFR) upon the culmination of the celebration; and participation in activities organized by the local government units (LGUs) and Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs).
“The schools can select appropriate school activities which can be conducted at the school and/or schools division levels,” Briones said. She added that all Special Education (SPED) centers and the public and private schools with SPED programs are “encouraged to undertake activities relevant to the theme of this year’s celebration.”
However, Briones reminded that all activities to be undertaken “should not disrupt classes nor compromise their supervision” pursuant to DepEd Order No. 9 series s. 2005 or the “Instituting Measures to Increase Engagement Time-on-Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith.”
Relative to the NDPR Week celebration, Briones said that all SPED Centers and schools with SPED Programs must accomplish the needed AFR form and submit it to the DepEd’s Bureau of Learning and Development – Student Inclusion Division (BLD-SID).
Meanwhile, the DepEd assured that it will continue to conduct trainings and seminars for teachers handling children with special needs in order to further strengthen their capabilities in delivering quality education.
This celebration of the NDPR Week culminates on the birthdate of Apolinario Mabini, the Sublime Paralytic, on July 23 of every year.