TRECE MARTIRES CITY, Cavite — The Department of Education (DepEd)-Cavite is now implementing its sign language skills program in all public schools with SPED (special education) Center across the province’s eight component cities and 16 municipalities, so that teachers and students will be able to communicate with learners with special education needs (LSEN).
In her Division Memorandum 28, s. 2018, Cavite Schools Divisions Superintendent Cherrylou D. Repia said the sign language skills enhancement program is in line with DepEd Order 26 s. 1997 on the institutionalization of SPED program in all schools and to strengthen inclusive education.
She said the daily conduct of sign language sessions “aims to equip all regular teachers, SPED teachers, and students with basic sign language skills; ensure that all teachers and students know how to communicate with our LSEN and strengthen sign language in all inclusive school environment.”
Ma. Victoria Maligayo, focal person for SPED program, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Wednesday that Cavite now has 22 SPED Centers, “5 of which are recognized by the National Agency,” with some 828 inclusive learners (LSEN that are part of a regular learning/classroom setting) and more than 1,000 under its ‘non-graded’ group (LSEN that needs one-on-one learning session).”
The program is being implemented under the “Project Kalinga” program, which, in partnership with the provincial government of Cavite, extends various forms of assistance to disabled, indigent, or the marginalized learners; and through DepEd’s Curriculum Implementation Division headed by Dr. Elpidia Bergado.
Daily classes start with basic sign language (alphabet, numbers, and simple phrases), and to go on “until the time that they are capable to communicate with our LSEN,” Maligayo said.
It targets public schools district supervisors, all elementary and secondary principals and head teachers, and school children in all municipalities. (Gladys Pino/PNA)
