Inclusion of PWDs in schools pushed

THE education sector is pushing for a program that allows persons with disabilities (PWDs) to be in the same class with regular students.

Mark Raygan Garcia, director of the Office of Information and Publications of Silliman University, said a forum organized by the
Great Physician Rehabilitation Foundation Inc. discussed the mandate of the Department of Education (DepEd) for schools to implement the “Inclusive Education System”.

Judith Mapue, Dumaguete City DepEd Special Education supervisor, said to sustain the program on inclusion of PWDs, special education needs to be incorporated into the general education curriculum.

"This will allow education majors to have the necessary knowledge and skills in dealing with students with special needs,” said Mapue.

She added that among the possible subjects to be featured in the curriculum are sign language, Braille reading, and psychology in dealing PWDs.

In Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental, there are close to 500 special students enrolled in public elementary schools. There are also special education centers around the area that provide assistance to PWDs. (Sunnex)