INCLUSIVE EDUCATION BILL 17th Congress Legislative Process

WHO: House of Representatives and the Senate HOW:  Preparation of the Bill  First Reading  Committee Consideration  Second Reading  Third Reading  Bicameral Conference  Signature of the President Bills Filed Senate of the

SENATE OF THE PHILIPPINES  Sen. Aquino (SBN 1414)  Sen. Angara(SBN 1331)  Sen. JV Ejercito (SBN 1357)  Sen. Joel Villanueva (SBN 1298 and 899)  Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian (SBN 996) Bills Filed House of Representatives Representatives LR. Villarica, A. Vargas III, M. Primicias-Agabas, E. Aglipay- Villar, S. Belaro Jr., S. Revilla, R. Biazon, E. Suansing & H. Suansing Jr., G. Macapagal-Arroyo, W.Castelo, P. Acharon Jr., M. Antonino, R. Andaya Jr., E. Olivarez, W. Gatchalian, R. Durano VI, KA. Nograles, N. Catamco, M. Yap, XJ. Romualdo, T. Montoro, F. Alvarez, JM. Nieto, DV. Savellano, E. Maceda, G. Tambunting, M. Panotes, M. Violago, J. Chipeco, JA. Sy-Alvarado, C. Lazatin II, L. Alonte, P. Ortega, M. Romero, M. Del Rosario, M. Mending Jr., G. Gasataya, M. Sagarbarria, JM. Nieto, W. Palma II, D. Malapitan, J. Pimentel, L. Bolilia, FJ. Matugas II, E. Martinez, JE. Garcia III, R. Eusebio, B. Herrera-Dy, TN. Velasco- Catera, E. Madrona, A. Ungab, LAJ. Co, V. Veloso, A. Bertiz, JJ. Nograles, F. Siao, ML. Nava, L. Bautista-Bandigan, MA. Zubiri, O. Salon, J. Bernos, VN. Ortega, ML. Lopez, M. Dalipe, E. Escudero, M. Cagas, CL. Chavez, S. Eriguel, R. Salo, C. Lobregat, AJ. Mangaoang, ML. Aggabao, VI. Noel, B. Evardone, AD. Gonzales Jr., MY Collantes, RP. Gonzaga, R. Cosalan, C. De Venecia, F. Gonzalez, C. Sarmiento, DG. Yu, F. Robes, G. Labadlabad, FL.Castro, R. Abellanosa, R. Del Mar, R. Tupas, J. Limkaichong, M. Bravo, V. Santos-Recto, A. Tan, A. Dimaporo, C. Bagatsing, T. Villarin, E. Calixto-Rubiano, J. Cortuna and P. Cayetano AN ACT INSTITUTING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION, ESTABLISHING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION HUBS FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES (CYDs) IN ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS DIVISIONS, PROVIDING FOR STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFORE Inclusive Education for Children and Youth with Disabilities Act Objectives  Provide CYDs free, appropriate, and accessible public education or related health and social services in accordance to their needs in preparation for adult living and community life;  Provide CYDs access to quality general education curriculum, through the formal and alternative learning delivery systems, especially for bed- bound or home-bound CYDs;  Implement a system of no discrimination in the delivery of education services;  Implement an educational system of no segregation, unless necessary;  Facilitate the inclusion of CYDs into the regular education in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Sustainable Development Goal No. 4, which “Ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”, and the “Incheon Strategy to Make the Rights Real For Persons With Disabilities in Asia and the Pacific”; Objectives  Institute Inclusive Education and establish Inclusive Education Hubs;  Establish an adequate and relevant inclusive education support system for every CYDs;  Ensure that CYDs fully develop their potentials and become participative members of society;  Ensure that all members of society fully understand, appreciate and respect differences amongst groups and members of society in which they live;  Strengthen the Child Find System of CYDs ages Zero (0) to Eighteen (18);  Empower parents with information on the rights of children inclusive education, and opportunities to actively participate in children’s learning;  Enable and empower parents and family members with the capability to identify, prevent, refer, or intervene with regard to disorders, disabilities and abilities of their children through training and consultations with appropriate allied medical specialists; Objectives

 Increase school retention and cohort survival of CYDs;  Affirm the rights of learners with disabilities to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through all means and forms of communication of their choice, including spoken language, , braille, tactile communication, large print, accessible multimedia, audio, augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication as stated in Article 21 of Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;  Consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including CYDs through their representative organizations; and  Create significant and positive changes in community and school orientation towards disability and the need to provide inclusive education, and proper care for CYDs. Definition of Terms

 Children and Youth with Disabilities (CYDs) – refer to children and youth with: long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others regardless of disability, ethnic group, religious affiliation, and linguistic or indigenous origin.

 Disability – refers to an umbrella term for impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions referring to the negative aspects of interaction between individuals with health conditions and contextual factors. Definition

 Inclusive Education – refers to a process of addressing and responding to the educational needs of all learners, regardless of ethnicity, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. It responds to the diversity of needs of all learners by increasing participation in learning, cultures and communities, and reducing exclusion within and from education. It involves changes and modifications in content, approaches, structures and strategies, with a common vision which covers all children of the appropriate age range and a conviction that it is the responsibility of the state to educate all children. It shall also focus on the achievement of high quality education for all learners and the development of more inclusive societies and not just on marginal issues.

 Inclusive Education Hub - refers to a teaching or learning inclusive education support system for students, teachers, school personnel and other education stakeholders Inclusive Education Hub

 Sec. 5. Establishment of Inclusive Education Hub (IE HUB). The DepEd shall establish an IE Hub in every district or division with the goal of establishing one in every public school. The existing Special Education Centers established in schools shall be converted as Inclusive Education Hub of a district or division. Functions of the IE Hub

 Sec. 6. Functions of the IE HuB. – The IE Hub shall serve as a learning/teaching support system that shall promote inclusive education in all schools. It shall:  Conduct assessment of CYDs to determine developmental levels, goals and appropriate services;  Provide early intervention programs for 0-4 years of age  Coordinate services needed by CYDs so they can be included in regular schools;  Develop disability specific learning support system and provide specialized learning programs for CYDs with severe conditions;  Produce appropriate teaching materials for teachers and CYDs;  Provide in-service training teachers, administrators, non-teaching personnel and parents on inclusive education;  Monitor case management of CYDs within the district or division, as the case may be; Functions of the IE Hub

 Ensure that the CYDs within the district or division, shall receive the appropriate and quality services needed;  Ensure that schools within the district or division implement CYDs’ individualized education programs, and appropriate transition, alternative and early intervention programs.  Provide schools with support and access to auxiliary aids and services that facilitate the education process for the CYDs.  Establish a referral and redress mechanism that shall address the challenges and difficulties of the families of CYDs, and to stimulate community resources which shall promote and foster systems inclusion within education and healthcare delivery systems and other child and youth-serving systems;  Ensure that all schools cultivate inclusive values by implementing relevant programs including anti-bullying, parents and community education, disability sensitivity and prejudice-reduction programs. Responsibilities of Agencies/LGUs DePED DOH DSWD DPWH DILG LGUs Inter-agency Coordinating Council On Inclusive Education

 Secretary of the DepED, as Chairperson;  Secretary of DOH as Co- Chairperson;  Secretary of DSWD as Co-Chairperson;  Secretary of DPWH  Secretary of DILG  Commission on Higher Education (CHED)  Secretary of Department of Budget and Management (DBM)  Director General of Technical Education and Skills Development Administration (TESDA)  President of Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth)  Chairperson, National Council for Disability Affairs  Five (5) representatives from the civil society organizations (CSOs) to include disabled peoples organizations, Non-government organizations working with CYDs, and private organizations serving the Education sector to be nominated by the DepED Status

 Senate: Pending with the Committee on Education, Chaired by Sen. Escudero

 House of Representatives: For approval of the Committee on Appropriation -End-