CBCP Holds SpEd Convention

MANILA, February 25, 2010-A Special Education (SpEd) Convention attended by teachers, parents, volunteers and organizations advocating persons with disabilities was convoked Saturday.

It was convened by the Episcopal Commission on Health Care (ECHC) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines on February 20, 2010 at the Paco Catholic School in Manila.

The organizers pointed out the urgency of teaching and forming children with special needs at an early age.

"Children cannot wait. They must learn now while their mind is still young and growing. They need you now as guide to show them what is right and what is wrong,' they said.

"As a teacher you are the most important person who will transform these special children to become respected," they added.

Abandonment and rejection by their own families, relatives and society, emotional stress of the parents and siblings as well as lack of the SpEd schools, teachers and resource materials are some of the major concerns that the special children are facing today.

During the convention, the speakers discussed on the needs of the persons with disabilities and shared concrete experiences in view of encouraging participants to deepen their involvement in this very special apostolate.

This year's theme is, "Look carefully, Act mercifully." (Kate Laceda)