In the Philippines, women and children with disabilities were found to have lower literacy and school participation
rates, and generally have lower educational attainment, than male persons with disability (PWDs) and nondisabled children. This paper is
part of the joint project of the Philippine Institute for Development Studies and the Institute of Developing
Economies. It looked into the school participation of children with disability in Mandaue City and San Remigio, Cebu,
Philippines. Using survey data (collected involving PWD enumerators) and key informant interviews with various
stakeholders, the study found that school participation among PWD children is generally low in both study sites.
Possible reasons for low school participation are: type and severity of impairment, distance of school (especially in
rural area, San Remigio), household size, and income. Some recommendations include making sure that assistive
devices given to PWD children match their needs, possible learning livelihood and basic health care
modules/trainings for parents, exploring ways to train more teachers (including the Alternative Learning System or ALS) to
handle children with disabilities, and possible local government unit partnerships to provide venues for the ALS. Lastly, the study recommends pushing for
more awareness to make schools not just "child friendly" but also "PWD friendly".
