As the education system transitions into the “new normal,” the Department of Education (DepEd) assures that there are various initiatives to help ensure that children with special needs would be able to continue their education.

“We’re recognizing that this is really a challenge that we need to face,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said in Filipino. “We are giving this careful attention as we try to find ways on how to increase access for children with special needs in schools,” she added.

Due to the COVID-19 situation in the country, DepEd has developed a Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (LCP) to be implemented this upcoming school year (SY) 2020-2021. In the BE-LCP, DepEd assured that Special Education (SPED) is included in the various learning delivery modalities being prepared to ensure learning continuity of learners with exceptionalities.

Under its “Inclusive Education” policy, DepEd assured that the unique circumstances of learners with exceptionalities are included in its learning continuity plan and funds are also allocated to address their needs especially in education.

With inclusivity in mind, DepEd said that learners with special needs will also be provided with Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) as alternative learning delivery modalities will be offered for various types of learners across the Philippines.

DepEd said that the integration of SLMs with the alternative learning delivery modalities such as modular, television-based, radio-based instruction, blended, and online will help the agency to ensure that “all learners have access to quality basic education” for SY 2020-2021 with face-to-face classes still prohibited due to the current public health situation.

In Region 2, for instance, the learners with special needs will have video sessions as well as assigned teachers that will be guiding them throughout their lessons.

“The activities we placed in the SLMs will be appropriate for learners with special needs, too,” Regional Director Dr. Estela Carino said. “We still have to give these learners the same kind of care that we gave them while we were doing face-to-face classes most of them would be using video-taped lessons aside from the modules,” she added.

Each region, DepEd said, has been provided with a set of SLMs for contextualization. These are expected to be printed in July and will be prepared for distribution nationwide - including learners in coastal and far-flung areas.

Meanwhile, Navotas National High School Principal Dr. Maria Cristina Robles underscored the importance of communicating with the parents. “As regards these SPED children, there really is a need for the School Head - whether public and private- to establish that so-called ‘communication system’ with the parents,” she explained.

With the changes in the learning delivery system this coming school year, Robles explained that it is very important to have good communication with parents and learners with special needs. “You must get their trust, they must feel that you are really bound or should really have good intentions to help,” she said. “Establishing trust will make it easier for them to understand the programs or plans of the school for their children,” she added.

SPED in the LCP

Data from DepEd as of July 3 shows that there are 46,484 non-graded learners with disabilities that have enrolled for SY 2020-2021 scheduled to start on August 24. DepEd included them in the enrollment process to be able identify their needs through a survey.