Overview
This lecture provides a chronological summary of the history and development of special education (SPED) in the Philippines, highlighting key milestones, laws, institutions, and advancements.
Early Beginnings (1902–1936)
- In 1902, Fred Atkinson proposed educating deaf and blind children in Philippine schools.
- In 1908, Delight Rice established the Manila Institute for the Deaf and Dumb (now Philippine School for the Deaf).
- By 1936, Maria Villia Francisco became the first Filipino principal of the School for the Deaf and Blind.
Establishment of Special Schools (1927–1960)
- 1927: Welfareville Children's Village founded for people with mental retardation in Mandaluyong.
- 1945: National Orthopedic Hospital School for the Crippled Children and Youth established.
- 1949: Quezon City Science High School inaugurated for gifted students.
- 1953: El Gatches Village created for abandoned/orphaned children with disabilities.
- 1956: Special classes for the deaf included in regular classrooms.
- 1957: Bureau of Public Schools created the Special Education section.
- 1960: Private colleges and universities began offering SPED graduate courses.
Expansion and Professional Development (1963–1980)
- 1963: Republic Act 3562 approved, leading to teacher training for the blind at Philippine Normal University.
- 1965: Administrator training for special class supervision began at UP.
- 1969: Classes for socially maladjusted children organized at Manila Youth Reception Center.
- 1970: Teacher training for children with behavior problems initiated at UP.
- 1973: Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court of Manila opened a special school for maladjusted children.
- 1975: The Silahis SPED concept implemented in Manila City public schools.
- 1979–1980: Survey of exceptional children in schools and opening of a school for disabled children in Cebu City.
Institutional Developments and Legislation (1990–2010)
- 1990: Philippine Institute for the Deaf and oral school for hearing-impaired children established.
- 1992: Summer training for teachers of the visually impaired began at Philippine Normal University.
- 1993: Order established regional special education councils (RESC).
- 1995: Summer training for teachers of the hearing impaired held.
- 1998: Teacher and principal positions reclassified for SPED.
- 1999: Order requiring accessibility features for disabled persons in public buildings.
- 2000: Official recognition of SPED centers in the Philippines.
- 2002: Ongoing mobile teacher training program for children with special needs.
Modern Advancements and Inclusive Education (2007–Present)
- 2007: Special Education Act identifies 10 groups of children with special needs.
- 2009: 217 SPED centers and issuance of Braille textbooks for the visually impaired.
- 2010: SPED Act mandates at least one SPED center per school division and financial support guidelines.
- 2012: Increased funding for SPED and opening of new centers; national SPED teacher conferences.
- 2013–2024: Continued improvement of inclusive education for learners with special needs nationwide.
Key Terms & Definitions
- SPED (Special Education) — Education designed for children with special needs or disabilities.
- Republic Act 3562 — Law providing for teacher training for blind children.
- RESC (Regional Special Education Council) — Bodies formed to organize regional SPED efforts.
- Silahis Concept — SPED program model implemented in Manila City public schools.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review key laws and institutions involved in SPED history.
- Familiarize yourself with recent SPED policies and ongoing programs in the Philippines.