The Philippines has joined the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, making it the first nation in the Asia-Pacific area to do so.
At the Philippine School of the Deaf, DepEd and Special Olympics Pilipinas inked a memorandum of understanding that will integrate special sports in classrooms and encourage participation of students with physical and learning disabilities in training and competitions.
A global movement called Special Olympics seeks to ensure that people with intellectual disabilities can participate in sports.
Importance for children
The four-year agreement aims to foster empathy between children with and without physical and intellectual disabilities by enrolling them in the same special sports programs.
The anticipated advancements in the special sports may benefit over 30,000 students with intellectual challenges.
After receiving specific training in working with students with impairments and running unique sports events, some 2,000 educators will also oversee the initiative.
In accordance with the MOU, Special Olympics Pilipinas will sponsor activities that promote a unified sports culture in pilot public schools, train approximately 2,000 DepEd teachers and staff in managing special sports, and manage the participation of at least 50,000 students with and without intellectual disabilities across the country.
Joining a global coalition
Along with 20 other nations, the Philippines became a member of the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion with the agreement.
China, Ghana, Jamaica, Mongolia, Montenegro, Panama, Egypt, Gibjaltar, Kenya, Iceland, Malta, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates are among the countries that are part of the coalition.
