DepEd Region 8 steps up learning program for PWDs

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan. 20  -- The Department of Education (DepEd) regional office here has renewed its commitment to strengthen special education for persons with disabilities (PWDs), backing the inclusive education for all strategy.

DepEd Regional Director Ramir Uytico said on Friday a growing number of public school teachers had been trained to provide quality education for PWDs.

He added that more state-run and private schools had been offering special education programs in the region.

“We initiated several activities to encourage PWDs to come to school. We have to tell people that we need to take care of them. For us, they are not persons with disabilities, but they are already persons with determinations,” Uytico told Philippine News Agency.

The regional office has no record on the number of handicapped learners in the region. Nationwide, there are around 250,000 enrollees with certain exceptionalities at the elementary level and around 100,000 at the high school level in school year ‎2015-2016.

Uytico urged parents or guardians of learners with certain disabilities to contact principals or guidance counselors of schools where they wish to enroll their children. This is to determine the necessary instructional program that their children need best.

“Gone are the days when we say that PWDs are considered as someone who has no role in this world. Even if they have disabilities, they can pursue their dreams,” Uytico added.  (SQM/PNA)