Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No, 8143

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution provides that: “The State shall protect and promote
the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and shall take appropriate steps to make
‘such education accessible to all.”

Children with special needs however find it difficult to access education which is better suited for
their needs. Presently, numerous interventions have already been introduced to promote a more
inclusive education in the Philippines. The fact however remains that special education programs
are more capacitated to accommodate learners with special needs, and to date most of these
programs are offered by private educational institutions. The country’s public-school system offer
some special education programs, but they are limited and can only be found in some public
schools, thus the problem of accessibility for learners with special needs. Generally speaking,
special education (SPED) teachers are more equipped with necessary skills to accommodate
children with special needs but in cases wherein the regular classes in public schools are the only
accessible education, it is important that mainstream teachers are well capacitated to
accommodate them.

This measure is proposed in consideration of children with special needs who only have access
Public schools without SPED programs. This measure seeks to provide training programs to
educators in regular classes so as to capacitate them in dealing with children with special needs
and ensuring that they are not denied of their right to quality education.

On behalf of the people of Parafiaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought.

REP. JOY’ s. 4 fda

/ 2nd District, Parafiaque City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

House BILL No, 8143

Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A COMPREHENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS OF
CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Teachers of Children with Special
Needs Enhancement Act."

Section 2. Program Authorized. - Secretary of Education is authorized to award grants in
accordance with this Act to carry out activities and programs designed to increase the
preparedness of mainstream classroom teachers for the preparation of children with special needs
in such classrooms through training program.

Section 3. Use of Funds. — Funds provided pursuant to this Act shall be used to award grants
‘to state universities which shall be required to put up special training programs for teachers. The
special programs shall consist of modules designed to increase awareness of teachers of children
with disability on the special nature of such children, with emphasis on their peculiar needs to
equip them with strategies on how to reach out to these children.

Section 4. Special Program Curriculum. — The Secretary of Education, in coordination with
the Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shall prescribe the special
program curriculum to be offered in state universities offering training programs. The special
program curriculum shall include special courses on child psychology, teach the substance and
teaching skills associated with handling of children with disability, develop special materials and
methods, conduct pilot and demonstration projects, and involve participation of experts in child
psychology in the provision of special activities designed to enhance the teaching skills of teachers
of children with disability.

Section 5. Application Required. — Each entity desiring a grant under this Act shall submit an
application to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner accompanied by such information
as the Secretary may reasonably require.


Section 6. Appropriations. — There shall be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this Act.

Section 7. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is held invalid or
unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain
valid and subsisting.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. ~ Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, letter
of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to or is inconsistent with the
provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

Section 9. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,