Lesson 3

The Legal Bases of Special Education

Special education in the Philippines is anchored on fundamental legal

documents that present a chronology of events on the growth and
development of the program.

1935 - First legal basis of the care and protection of children with
disabilities was enacted in 1935.

- Articles 365 and 259 of Commonwealth Act No. 3202: “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 promote the full growth of the faculties of
every child”

1963 - Republic Act No. 3562, “An Act to Promote the Education of
the Blind in the Philippines

1968 - Republic Act No. 5250, “An Act Establishing a 10-Year Teacher
Training Program for Teachers of Special and Exceptional Children”

1973 - 1973 Constitution, Section 8, Article XV, “provision of a

complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the goals
of national development”

1975 - Presidential Decree No. 603: Child and Youth Welfare Code,
was enacted

1978 - Presidential Decree No. 1509: creation of the National

Commission Concerning Disabled Persons

1982 - Batas Pambansa Bilang 232, “the state shall promote the right
of every individual to relevant quality education regardless of sex, age, race,
socioeconomic status, physical and mental condition, social and ethnic origin,
political and other affiliation.”

- Section 24, “Special education Service” – the state further

recognizes its responsibility to provide, within the context of the formal
education system, services to meet special needs of certain clientele”
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1983 - Batas Pambansa Bilang 344: The Accessibility Law-“An Act to

Enhance the Mobility of Disabled Persons”

1987 - 1987 Constitution of the Philippines, Article XIV, “the rights

of exceptional children to education”

- P.D. 603, The Child and Youth Welfare Code

- R.A. 10410, The Early Years Act

- R.A. 10533, The Enhanced Basic Education Act – including ALS

and Learners with Special Needs

1989 - R.A. No. 6759, White Cane Safety Day in the Philippines

1992 - R.A. No. 7610, “An Act Providing for Strong Deterrence and
Special Protection Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination”

- R.A. No. 7277, “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons”

1997 - R.A. No. 8371, Indigenous People’s Right Act

2000 - Presidential Proclamation No. 362 sets the 3rd Week of July as
the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week Celebration

2004 - R.A. No. 9288, “The Newborn Screening Act”

2006 - R.A. No. 9344, Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act

2007 - R.A. No. 9442, Magna Carta for Disabled Persons

2015 - R.A. No. 10665, Open High School System Act