More than 90 percent of Filipino children with disabilities remain outside the public school system despite a law mandating inclusive education, according to a new study that warned of persistent shortages in teachers, funding and support services.

A policy brief released by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) found that only 381,089 learners with disabilities were enrolled in public schools in the 2024-2025 school year — roughly 8 percent of the country’s estimated 5.1 million school-age children with disabilities.

The study said millions of children remain excluded from formal education because of weak systems for identifying disabilities, limited access to assessment and intervention services, and a lack of trained personnel.

Even among learners already enrolled, support remains scarce.

Nearly three out of four learners with disabilities attend regular classrooms, but six in every 10 study in schools without a Special Needs Education program, a Special Education Center, an Inclusive Learning Resource Center, or even an SNED teacher.