A public special education school that provides its students with therapy and job training has been recently opened in Valenzuela City. 
 
Inaugurated on Jan. 22, the Valenzuela Special Education Center (Valsped) is a locally funded institution that offers occupational, physical and speech therapy sessions, early intervention care, and a job transition skills program.  A total of 478 students have enrolled.
 
Valenzuela City SPED Coordinator Dr. Teresita Pangan said that the SPED center will focus on “mainstreaming inclusion,” or preparing students for a life in the mainstream society. 
 
VALSPED Guidance Counselor Joan Matining, speaking in the vernacular,  said, “Malaking bagay talaga ang facility for their learning. Through this, maso-showcase lahat ng interests ng mga bata (It is significant that SPED students have their own learning facility. Here, they get to showcase their talents).” 
 
Matining said the special education center will empower the students by enabling them to find decent jobs that can help them uplift their lives.

The Valsped’s four-story, 14-room building along MacArthur Highway in Barangay Malinta has facilities that cater to its students’ various needs, including rooms for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech therapy; an assessment room, an early intervention area, a computer laboratory, a restaurant-café, and a simulation area for the job skill transition program (e.g. hotel room, laundry area, arts and crafts room).
 
On the other hand, programs at the Valsped is implemented in shifts, with a therapy session lasting for one hour, the early intervention care for three hours, and the transition program for three to six hours.                                                                                                                                                                              
The Valenzuela Special Education Center is part of the 360 degrees Education Investment Program, the city’s holistic, systemic, community-driven and student-centric education program.