This study is action research on changing the perceptions of students towards Inclusive Education (IE) through the DepEd Order (DO) 72 s 2009 for there is a misconception about Inclusive Education. A qualitative research design and a descriptive phenomenological research approach were used in the study. It was conducted at the Senior High School (SHS) of Davao City National High School (DCNHS). The fifteen (15) participants are officially enrolled Grade 11 students that were selected based on pre-selected criteria through purposive selective sampling. To obtain the data, there were in-depth interviews with the participants where questions were asked and their answers were recorded and transcribed. Qualitative thematic analysis was used as a technique for interpreting the data and synthesizing it into themes to facilitate understanding of the perceptions of the participants. The results of the study showed that the students perceived Inclusive Education as the merging of strands and tracks, the mixture of multiple intelligences, the end of discrimination, and a learning environment for children with or without disabilities. To address the problem of misconception about the IE system of the school, the study recommended the DepEd Order 72 s 2009: Inclusive Education as Strategy for Increasing Participation Rate of Children as a basis for implementing the IE program. Proper orientation and dissemination of information among stakeholders should be done which includes the visions and goals, importance, benefits of the program, policies, strategies, as well as the education system reconstruction from an exclusive to an inclusive system.

Inclusive Education (IE)

Davao City National High School