Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Legal Bases of Special Education
Legal Bases of Special Education
Special education in the Philippines is anchored on fundamental legal documents that present
a chronological events on the growth and development of the program. The first legal basis of the
care and protection of children with disabilities was enacted in 1935. Articles 356 and 259 of the
Commonwealth Act No. 3203 asserted “the right of every child to live in an atmosphere conducive to
his physical, moral and intellectual development” and the concomitant duty of the government “to
Republic Act No. 3562, “An Act To Promote the Education of the Blind in the Philippines” on
June 21, 1963 provided for the formal training of special education teachers of blind children at the
Philippine Normal College, the rehabilitation of the Philippine Normal School for the Blind (PNSB) and
Republic Act No. 5250, “An Act Establishing a Ten-Year Teaching Training Program for
Teachers of Special Education Children” was signed into law in 1968. The law provided for the formal
training of teachers for deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech handicapped, socially and emotionally
disturbed, mentally retarded and mentally gifted children and youth at the Philippine Normal College
The 1973 Constitution of the Philippines, the fundamental law of the land, explicitly stated in
Section 8, Article XV the provision of “a complete, adequate and integrated system of education
relevant to the goals of national development.” The constitutional provision for the universality of
educational opportunities and the education of every citizen as a primary concern of the government
In 1975, Presidential Decree No. 603, otherwise known as the Child and Youth Welfare Code
was enacted. Article 3 on the Rights of the Child provides among others that “the
emotionally
disturbed or socially maladjusted child shall be treated with sympathy and understanding, and shall
be entitled to treatment and competent care; and the physically or mentally handicapped child shall
be given the education and care required by his particular condition.” Equally important is Article 74
which provides for the creation of special classes. Thus, “where needs warrant, there shall be at least
special classes in every province, and if possible, special schools for the physically handicapped, the
mentally retarded, the emotionally disturbed and the specially gifted. The private sector shall be given
In 2978, Presidential Decree No. 1509 created the National Commission Concerning Disabled
Persons (NCCDP). It was renamed as National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons
(NCWDP).
In Education Act of 1982 or Batas Pambansa Bilang 232 states that “the state shall promote
the right of every individual to relevant quality education regardless of sex, age, breed,
socioeconomic status, physical and mental condition, social and ethnic origin, political and other
affiliations. The States shall therefore promote and maintain equality of access to education as well as
Section 24 “Special Education Service” of the same law affirms that “the State further
recognizes its responsibility to provide, within context of the formal education system services to meet
special needs of certain clientele. These specific types shall be guided by the basic policies of state
embodied on General Provisions of this Act which include: (2) “special education, the education of
persons who are physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, culturally different from the so-
called ‘normal’ individuals that they require modifications of school practices/services to develop to
their
maximum capacity.”
In 983, Batas Pambansa Bilang 344 was enacted. The Accessibility Law, “An Act to Enhance
the Mobility of Disabled Persons” requires cars, buildings, institutions, establishments and public
utilities to install facilities and other devices for persons with disabilities.
The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines cites the rights of exceptional children to education in
Article XIV. Section 1 declares 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. Section 2 emphasizes that “the State shall provide adult citizens, the disabled and out-of-school
In 1989, R.A. No. 6759 was enacted. The law declared August 1 of each year as “White Cane
Safety Day in the Philippines.” Blind persons use the cane in traveling.
In 1992, R> A. No. 7610 was enacted. The law is “An Act Providing for Strong Deterrence and
Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination, Providing penalties for Its
In the year 2000, Presidential Proclamation No. 361 set new dates for the National Disability
Prevention and Rehabilitation Week Celebration on the third week of July every year which shall