THE DEPARTMENT of Education has partnered with Special Olympics Pilipinas and Special Olympics Asia Pacific to promote inclusive sports and education.

According to DepEd, more than 50,000 learners with intellectual disabilities from 500 schools nationwide are expected to benefit from a unified sports experience through this partnership.

“We want to introduce the [unified sports] concept to our children from an early age, during their formative years, so they can learn to be more inclusive,” said DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara.

“Hindi lang sila magkakampi sa laro, kundi magkatuwang sa buhay.”

Angara also highlighted that the Philippines is the first country in the Asia-Pacific region to join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion.

This groundbreaking initiative is supported by Milo Philippines, Rebisco, Alternative Learning Resource School–Philippines, Inc., and Best Buddies Philippines.

DepEd said the partnership strengthens its commitment to fostering an inclusive learning environment where every learner’s academic growth and emotional well-being are supported.