QuestionsQuestions (DECS ORDER NO. 5)
To provide for the reclassification of regular teacher and regular school principal items into Special Education (SPED) teacher and special school principal items, and to implement corresponding salary grades for those actually involved in providing educational services to children with special needs, subject to guidelines and availability of funds.
Article XIV (Sections 1, 2, and 11) of the Philippine Constitution and Republic Act No. 7277 (Magna Carta for Disabled Persons), among other legal documents.
It cites DECS statistics (1996–1997) indicating that only about 90,000 or 2% of the targeted 4 million children with special needs were served in schools.
DECS Order No. 26, s. 1997.
Republic Act No. 6758.
Regular teacher and regular school principal items are reclassified to SPED teacher and special school principal items for those actually involved in providing educational services to children with special needs, implemented on a staggered basis.
Regional Directors, who must submit recommendations to the Chief of the Management Division, Financial Management Service, DECS.
The reclassification is subject to established guidelines on availability of funds, and it must concern those actually providing educational services to children with special needs.
It states that reclassification shall be implemented on a staggered basis.
An elementary grades teacher who underwent formal training in Special Education at the national, regional, or division level and is presently teaching children with special needs.
The gifted or fast learners, mentally retarded, visually impaired, hearing impaired, learning disabled, orthopedically handicapped, chronically ill, autistic children, and children with behavior problems (assigned in special schools, SPED centers, and in regular schools with SPED programs).
Education: BS Education with specialization in special education or at least 18 units of SPED at graduate level (with possible credit of 9 units for one-month summer training in SPED through recognized institutions/DECS DISP or other NGO funding). Eligibility: appropriate civil service eligibility. Experience: at least 3 years providing educational services to children with special needs. Performance: Very Satisfactory rating for the last three years.
A one-month summer training in SPED conducted at specified institutions (e.g., Philippine Normal University, UP, YMCA Open College, Manila, and other recognized institutions through DECS DISP or other NGO funding) shall be given credit of 9 units.
To qualify, the teacher must have 38 units in Special Education at the masteral level.
The teacher must be an MA in SPED or its equivalent.
A principal of a SPED center/school that offers educational services to any of the listed categories of children with special needs.
He/she must have professional training in the organization, administration, and supervision in special education, and teaching experience with children with special needs; and must supervise a minimum of 10 to 25 SPED teachers.
At least 50 SPED teachers under his/her supervision.
1) Transcript of Records/Certificates of Participation/Attendance in SPED trainings, conferences, workshops, or certification of required SPED units; 2) Rating Card for civil service eligibility; 3) Certification by the principal of at least 3 years experience teaching children with special needs; 4) Certification by the principal of Very Satisfactory rating for the last 3 years.
1) Transcript of Records/Certification that the principal was trained in organization, administration, and supervision in SPED; 2) Certification by the Schools Division Superintendent that the principal has teaching experience with children with special needs; 3) List of SPED teachers under supervision certified by the Schools Division Superintendent.