Politics · Philippines Bureau
DepEd seeks P500M boost for special needs education program
The Department of Education is requesting over P500 million in additional funding to support its special needs education initiative, which faces budget constraints in the proposed 2027 allocation. The funding would enable the agency to train and hire personnel needed across more than 30,000 government schools nationwide.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA – The Department of Education has appealed for supplementary budget allocation exceeding P500 million to strengthen its special needs education program amid anticipated cuts in the agency's 2027 funding proposal.
The additional resources would be directed toward training and recruiting qualified personnel to support the government's inclusive education initiative, which currently serves students across more than 30,000 public schools throughout the country.
DepEd officials have indicated that the funding shortfall threatens the expansion and sustainability of special needs services, which aim to provide equitable educational access to students with disabilities and learning differences. The requested supplementary appropriation is intended to ensure adequate staffing levels and professional development for educators working in special education programs.
The budget request comes as the agency continues efforts to implement its inclusive education framework, which seeks to integrate special needs students into mainstream classroom settings while providing appropriate support services and accommodations.
Education officials are expected to present the funding proposal to budget-deliberating bodies in Congress as part of the broader discussions surrounding the 2027 national budget allocation for the education sector.