THE STUDENT council of the University of the Philippines College of Education, along with other student groups, urged lawmakers to remember students with special needs during the pandemic and allot more funds for Special Education.

“We call on our lawmakers and administrators to reconsider the needs of our students with additional needs, given the added difficulties in learning brought upon by the pandemic,” the group said in a Facebook post.

The group also urged the government to reassess the budget for education.

“Instead of investing the taxpayers’ money on miscellaneous expenses which benefits no one, we urge our government to reassess the budget, and even their priorities, especially in the field of education,” it added.

The group noted that the education sector “already suffered” from underfunding and lack of support before the pandemic hit.

Other groups that joined the call were YouthResist, Kurit-Lagting, UP ALYANSA, Development Studies Society, Rise for Education – UP Diliman, Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista, Community Animals Partners and Welfare Advocates UP – CAPWA UP, START AIT: Student Action for Responsive Leadership in Tourism, UP Cebu Lantugi, SPARK – Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan, The EstrangHero,

Students for STRAW, Partido sang Mainuswagon nga Bumulutho, STAND UP NCPAG, UP Circle of Landscape Architecture Students, PLMun College of Teacher Education Student Council, PLM Business School Student Council, Youth for Youth, Gabay Isko, Advent of Special Education Student Society – CTE, PLMun, We The Future PH, United States Government Alumni Association – Davao, SAVE Philippines – Stewards and Volunteers for the Earth Philippines, UPLB Sophia Circle, NNARA-Youth UP Diliman, UPLB Delta Lambda Sigma, UP Aggregates Inc., Adamson University Psychological Society, Millennials PH, KALikha: Kasama Ka sa Paglikha ng Arte at Literatura Para sa Bayan, HAU School of Education Student Council, UP School of Statistics Student Council, UP Volleyball Club, UP Statistical Society, UP Educators’ Circle, Sikhay EDUK, UP Euro-Filipino Understanding & Relations Organization, UP Organization for Shiftees and Transferees, and UP Kustura.

The UP Samahan Tungo sa Progresibong Administrasyon (UP STPA), UP Political Society, PLM College of Education Student Council, UP Anthropology Society (UP Anthro Soc), SOSS Sanggunian, UP-MOrg, UP PUGAD Sayk, International Students Union, National Union of Students of the Philippines, UP Kalipunan ng mga Mag-aaral ng Sosyolohiya (UP KMS), UP Batangan Official, Ateneo Special Education Society, UP Broadcasters’ Guild, KAUSAP, Agham Youth – UP Diliman, UPLB College of Economics and Management Student Council, UP Diliman, University Student Council, UP Diliman University Freshie Council also joined the call.