Everyone is Accounted for, Education for All

Embracing the beauty of inclusivity, students with special educational needs are no longer spectators, but celebrated participants.

The Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet 2024 exemplifies this beautifully. SPED which stands for Special Education is a program of the Department of Education in the Philippines designed to provide the needs of students with unique learning needs, helping them thrive in their educational journey.

According to Executive Order No. 64 series of 1993, physical fitness and sports are accessible to all individuals regardless of anyone’s age, gender, talent, or capabilities. CVIRAA Meet 2024 surely highlights these qualities showcasing the athletic skills of learners and learners with special needs.

In an interview, Ma’am Rosemarie Bonifacio, a SPED athletics coach stated “Ilaha gyung gi prioritize ang SPED kay supposedly naa unta mi gi butang sa babaw [upper floor] na rooms but naa ra gyud mi sa ground floor. Na bantayan gyud namo ba nga gi prioritize nila sila, accessible ra pud ang rooms sa mga SPED learners.”

“Ilaha gyung gi prioritize ang SPED kay supposedly naa unta mi gi butang sa babaw [upper floor] na rooms but naa ra gyud mi sa ground floor. Na bantayan gyud namo ba nga gi prioritize nila sila, accessible ra pud ang rooms sa mga SPED learners.”

Ma’am Rosemarie Bonifacio

She also added that through this event, SPED learners are provided with valuable opportunities for socialization and exposure to new experiences, especially for first-time participants who may have initially felt nervous. Through social interactions, they are able to gain confidence and experience new things.

This event also fostered a sense of inclusion among the SPED participants, as some even had the chance to visit Cebu City for the first time, experiencing things they might not have before, like sea travel and going on ferries for instance.

Dona Jane Pialan, a SPED athletics participant was asked about what she felt about this event and she answered that she is very happy.

In another interview, Ms. Zaida Cazandra Jungoy, a dance sport athlete stated, “as an athlete, I’m very happy that SPED learners are also included, and maka proud jud sila, and thankful pud ko na through this event ma-share nila ilang talents and ma-show nila sa tanan what they can really do.”

CVIRAA 2024 resonated deeply with SPED students, as stated by the words of Ma’am Bonifacio, “We are not looking for the disability but the ability of the child.”