Only two percent of Filipino children with special needs (CSN) are getting support from the government unlike in other countries where 100 percent get support, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

This is why DepEd is pushing for the establishment of a Bureau of Special Education to attend to the education needs of these children including people with disability (PWD).

“We believe that the creation of a specific unit that will take care of the unique needs of special children is urgent,” the DepEd said, noting that while CSN and PWD comprise a minority, they remain a significant 13 percent of all children’s population.

Senate Bill (SB) 2020 mandates the creation of at least one special education (SPED) center for each school division (one each in 17 regions) and three SPED centers in big school divisions.

The DepEd has asked Malacañang to certify as urgent Senate Bill (SB) 2020 as the government has to look after these children who are not yet provided with appropriate educational services.

SB 2020 has been approved on second reading, and its Lower House counterpart, HB 6740, has been approved on third reading.

“Most people have not yet recognized that certain CSNs or PWDs have very distinct talents and skills. And their integration and mainstreaming into the society will contribute significantly to national development,” the DepEd said.

Based on School Year 2004-2005 estimates, there were 5.49 million CSNs in the Philippines or 13 percent of all children’s population. Of this number, an estimated 4.2 million were PWDs while 1.27 million were gifted children.

Children with special needs are classified as those who have autism, gifted or talented, mentally retarded, visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically handicapped, learning disabled, speech defective, children with behavior problems, and those children that encounter health problems under the formal educational system.

However, enrollment of these children only totaled to around 15,000 as of SY 2004-2005. This enrollment rate already represents an 88 percent growth from SY 1995-1996 when enrollment was only around 8,000.

Also, under the bill, special day care centers will be put up near existing SPED centers with the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).