NEWS FEATURE

Through Inclusivity & Beyond: DBM rejects 2023 SPED Budget Proposal

BY MAXINE JADE PANGAN | NOVEMBER 18, 2023

Always, in all ways, children possess endless possibilities. There is so much potential hidden behind innocent eyes and youthful minds. Is this country succeeding in educating the youth and ensuring that there is no child left behind?

The Department of Education (DepEd) on September 19, 2023 said in a statement that the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) rejected their proposal for a P532-million budget for Special Education (SPED) in 2023, leaving zero budget for the sector.

In defense, DBM justified its decision to scrap the proposed budget as DepEd failed to sufficiently document the necessary details of the proposed amount, parameters or basis of computations, and the status of ongoing conversion and establishment of Inclusive Learning Resource Centers (ILRCs). DepEd’s 2022 budget has been also underutilized, with only a 1.13% obligation rate or P6.35 million of P560.2 million allocation, said the agency.

This unfortunate turn of events contradicts the signed law on March 11, 2022, the Republic Act No. 11650, or also known as an Act “Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education”. This is mandated to support inclusive education, thus, providing early and basic education to every learner with a disability.

After years of being kept in the dark, this law finally served as a beacon of hope for over 1.27 million children with special needs in the country. It opened up limitless possibilities for these children who have been deprived of education over the years, helping them live a normal life and learn basic skills within the school setting which every child deserves.

Jeaselle Ramos, a mother of a 14-year-old child with disability, is living proof that this law paved the way for something good. Even though her child stutters, she is happy to finally hear her child have conversations with them after being enrolled in SPED. Her child also learned to read and understand most of their lessons. But most importantly, the child finally had the chance to socialize with others and make meaningful friendships.

Despite the challenges they faced over the years, having this kind of special service was a breath of fresh air. However, this puts a pause on the start of the little children’s journey towards enlightenment.

Upon hearing about the supposed budget cut, SPED Teacher Jantzen Reyes was disappointed. They emphasized the crucial importance of prioritizing support and services for children with special needs.

“Mayroong polisiya na nagpapatunay na ‘No Child Left Behind.’ Pero sa pinakita ng ating gobyerno, ang mga Learners with Disabilities ay nawala sa linya nung prinoklama nila na wala silang sapat na pondo para sa Special Education Program,” Reyes lamented. “Masakit isipin bilang isang guro na makitang walang umaagapay sa mga batang may kapansanan na may mga pangarap din sa buhay.”

During the past years, the number of enrollees under the Special Education program significantly declined. According to the data from DepEd, the number of enrollees with disabilities devastatingly dropped from 360,879 in 2019 to 93,895 in 2021. How will these children learn if they were robbed of the chance to have access to the right amount of care and rights? While they take the time to learn how we live normally, why aren’t we taking our time to let them?

With DepEd’s ‘no child left behind’ policy, and the ongoing crisis in budget management for Special Education, it is for the department to ensure it lives up to its mission of equal rights and accountability for all students. For Reyes, it is vital for DepEd to focus its efforts on allocating a budget for building schools for children with disabilities and ensuring that these establishments possess the needed facilities.

Aside from raising their wages, Reyes flagged that the government should also make sure that there are enough instructional materials to cater to every condition of the children and that seminars and training are administered within SPED teachers to further improve how they teach and get along with children.

Ramos, on the other hand, suggested that the government also offer therapies and programs for children with disabilities so they can enhance their skills and improve their conditions.

With the huge population of 1.27 million children with disabilities, there are only 4,487 SPED teachers and 898 SPED Centers in the country to provide them the bare minimum. Various child rights groups like Save the Children and Child Rights Network were alarmed of this interval and vehemently called to strengthen all other related laws and policies involving organizations of persons with disabilities, parents of children with disabilities, and the learners with disabilities.

Children, in all forms, shapes, and sizes, deserve to be treated like any other child. Every child is just little versions of us who have dreams they want to reach and places they want to go. And whenever a child dreams, it is our duty to help them achieve it.