PIA Press Release Thursday, January 19, 2012 DepEd committed to provide educational intervention for children and youth with disabilitiesMANILA, Jan. 19 -- Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC has ordered division heads of the Department of Education nationwide to take the lead in the planning and implementation of the early registration of children and youth with disabilities on January 28, 2012 to bring them to school. “Every learner should be in school whether they are able or differently-abled,” said Luistro. DepEd has set aside January 28 as the day for expanded early registration in all public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. Targeted for early registration for School Year 2012-2013 are the incoming Kindergarten, Grade 1, and First Year high school students. This year, DepEd has enjoined out-of-school children and youth and learners with disabilities whose ages range from 5 to 18 to also enroll so that government can provide them proper educational intervention. “The early registration will give the department enough lead time to bridge resource gaps even before classes open in June,” explained Luistro. He added that the Philippines is firmly committed to meet the goals of universal basic education and Education For All being advocated by the United Nations. Based on DepEd Order No. 4, series of 2012, Special Education (SPED) centers, trained SPED teachers, and all health personnel are required to assist in locating children and youth with disabilities who have not been to school. Required to enroll are children/youth with visual impairment, hearing impairment, those with intellectual disability, learning disability, with speech/language impairment, those with serious emotional disturbance, children with autism, with orthopedic impairment, those with special health problems and with multiple disabilities. Learners who dropped out from elementary or secondary school may enroll in the formal system through Alternative Delivery Modes which include Modified In-School and Off-School Approach (MISOSA), electronic Instructional Management by Parents, Community, and Teachers (e-IMPACT), and Drop-Out Reduction Program (DORP). Another option for those who dropped out and want to continue schooling is the Alternative Learning System. In both schemes, prospective enrollees are required to present their report card or a letter of certification from the school they last attended.(DepEd) |