In a move to promote inclusive education, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office for Western Visayas (Region 6), in partnership with the University of San Agustin’s College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education Graduate School recently hosted a webinar titled “Advocating Inclusive Education Among Higher Education Institutions through Effective and Efficient Guidance and Counseling.” This event was part of CHED’s 30th-anniversary celebration and the 4th Higher Education Day, aligning with the theme “Transformative and Resilient Higher Education.”
The event was graced by CHED Regional Director for Region 6, Dr. Raul Alvarez, who underscored the crucial role of inclusive education and the significant impact of comprehensive guidance and counseling services. “Guidance and counseling is integral to higher education,” the Regional Director emphasized, pointing out how the various challenges students face at home, in school, in their personal and academic have led to a high attrition rate and that guidance and counseling is “paramount to lowering attrition rates”. He called on everyone to be advocates of inclusive education.
The first speaker, Professor Frank Emboltura, an esteemed, award-winning advocate for inclusive education and USA-CLASE faculty with expertise in inclusive education, delivered an enlightening presentation titled “Inclusion Matters: Building Awareness and Supporting Neurodivergent Learners.” He stressed the importance of recognizing and valuing each learner’s identity, stating, “When you acknowledge the identity, you help with their sense of belongingness, and in belongingness, their sense of becoming.” He made a compelling case that “every learner matters equally,” highlighting the distinction between diversity and inclusivity. He further linked inclusive education to the sustainable development goals and the UNESCO World Conference on Special Needs Education of 1994. Clarifying key terminologies, he differentiated between impairment, disability, handicap, and at-risk conditions, concluding with a powerful assertion that “inclusion is a right.”
Another key presentation, this time by another USA faculty, Dr. Dorothy Tarol, focused on effective and efficient guidance and counseling tailored for higher education students with special needs. The speaker addressed various challenges, discussed the legal bases for inclusive education, and outlined different types of disabilities. Her insights provided a framework for developing robust support systems within educational institutions.
Adding personal perspectives to the discourse, two speakers shared their inspiring stories of overcoming disabilities. Mr. Knuelvirn Hautea, a teacher of the Iloilo National High School and a Central Philippine University graduate, shared his experiences as a visually impaired student, while USA alumnus Ms. Marie Louise Kathryn Cerbas-Lambuson, founder and project director of Blessing of Hope, also shared her inspiring story as a struggling student with quadruplegia. Their narratives not only highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities but also demonstrated the resilience and determination required to succeed. Their experiences served as a poignant reminder of the importance of inclusive practices and supportive educational environments.
The webinar saw participation from state universities and colleges, as well as private higher education institutions from Region 6 and beyond, reflecting a widespread commitment to advancing inclusive education across the nation.
This event marks a significant step in CHED’s ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive, supportive, and resilient higher education system. By equipping educators and counselors with the knowledge and tools to support all learners, CHED and USA continue to champion transformative educational practices that benefit every student.
For media inquiries, please contact the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education, through Dr. Ma. Delsa Gange, academic supervisor of the Education and Graduate School programs or email the college at coe@usa.edu.ph. CLASE is under Dean Nenelyn de la Fuente. — MRB
