PWD’s Right to Education

Below is part of RA 7277 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations on Education for Persons with Disabilities. The article is uploaded to educate the public on PWDs’ right to education.

Any problems relating to or in violation of RA 7277 can be coursed to the National Council on Disability Affairs at 9516033 or Department of Education at 632-1361.

RA 7277 CHAPTER 2 Section 12 to 14

Access to Quality Education

The State shall ensure that disabled persons are provided with adequate access to quality education and ample opportunities to develop their skills. It shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all disabled persons. It shall be unlawful for any learning institutions to deny a disabled person admission to any course it offers by reason of handicap or disability. The State shall take into consideration the special requirements of disabled persons in the formulation of education policies and program. It shall encourage learning institutions to take into account the special needs of disabled persons with respect to the use of school facilities, class schedules, physical education requirements and other pertinent consideration. The State shall also promote the provision by learning institutions, of auxiliary services that will facilitate the learning process for disabled persons.

Assistance to Disabled Students

The State shall provide financial assistance to economically marginalized but deserving disabled students pursuing post secondary or tertiary education. Such assistance may be in the form of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies, and other incentives to qualified disabled students in both public and private schools. At least five percent (5%) of the allocation for the Private Education Student Financial Assistance Program created by virtue of R.A. 6725 shall be set aside for disabled students pursuing vocational or technical and degree courses.

Special Education

The State shall establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate and integrated system of special education for the visually impaired, hearing impaired, mentally retarded persons and other type of exceptional children in all regions of the country. Towards this end, the Department of Education, Culture and Sports shall establish special education classes in public schools in cities, or municipalities. It shall also establish, where viable, Braille and Record Libraries in provinces, cities or municipalities. The National Government shall allocate funds necessary for the effective implementation of the special education program nationwide. Local government units may likewise appropriate counterpart funds to supplement national funds. Click here to know more.

Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR RA7277)