To:   Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Superintendents
Private Elementary and Secondary School Principals

1.   Pursuant to DECS Order No. 26, s. 1997 “Institutionalization of Special Education Programs in the Public Schools”, the Special Education Division of the Bureau of Elementary Education recognizes the need to strengthen the SPED programs for all the gifted in all school divisions of the country.

2.   Studies reveal that 2% of any given population are gifted and/or talented. For the SY 1998-1999, the total enrolment in the public and private schools is 12,474,886. With this figure, an estimated 249,497 are gifted but enrolment records show that only 60,531 gifted and talented children are provided with educational services responding to their potentials, hence, a need to beef up the organization of classes for the gifted.

3.   To ensure the provision of appropriate programs to the gifted/talented children, standard procedure shall be followed. The procedure is provided in Inclosure No. 1.

4.   Regional directors and schools superintendents are enjoined to support the organization of classes for the gifted/talented children. The SPED Division of BEE shall provide technical assistance to schools in the management of programs for the gifted.

5.   Immediate dissemination and implementation 6f this Order is desired.

Incls.:  As stated
Reference: DECS Order: (no. 26, s. 1997)
Allotment: 1- D.O. (50-97)