Special needs education sees growth in underserved areas

CEBU, Philippines — Learning Ladder Children’s House Inc., a Cebu-based education provider specializing in programs for children with special needs, is ramping up its expansion into suburban areas across the Visayas and Metro Manila amid growing demand for specialized early education services.

Founded in 2011 by husband-and-wife team Ronald and Ruth Catingan, Learning Ladder has grown from a single preparatory school in Cebu into a niche education network with campuses in Dumaguete and Surigao City in Mindanao.

The school is known for its tailored programs for children with autism, ADHD, and developmental delays—an underserved market in many parts of the country.

“Our focus has always been to bring quality special education where it’s most needed,” said co-founder Ronald, who left a regional sales post at 3M in 2022 to fully commit to the business. “We’re now seeing heightened awareness and acceptance, especially in second-tier cities, and that’s where Learning Ladder wants to be.”

The business began as a calling, driven by Ruth’s expertise in occupational therapy and neurodevelopmental care. “Instead of taking our American dream abroad, we decided to build something meaningful at home,” Ruth said.

Learning Ladder now serves over 130 students in its Cebu campus alone, with approximately 75 percent classified as special education (SPED) learners.

Classes are intentionally kept small—typically six students per class with two teachers—to provide individualized attention and early intervention strategies.

Addressing Regional Gaps

The company’s expansion into Dumaguete in 2015 was in response to a critical lack of SPED services in the region. “Families used to travel to Cebu or even Manila just to access therapy or assessments. We brought the neurodevelopmental model to them,” Ronald said in an interview.

Surigao followed shortly after, with similar demand coming from local families grappling with limited options for children with learning differences.

Now, the husband and wife tandem is exploring new sites in Bohol, Masbate, Bantayan Island, and Metro Manila, with a combination of direct investment and joint ventures with local operators.

“Franchising is on the table, but only with partners who share our values and commitment to the long game,” Ronald explained. “This isn’t a model that scales quickly for profit—it’s built on quality, care, and deep community involvement.”

Talent Bottlenecks and Policy Gaps

While Learning Ladder has gained a reputation for delivering strong outcomes, its biggest challenge remains sourcing qualified SPED teachers—a national issue amplified in remote locations. “Many of our teachers end up being hired abroad, especially in the U.S. and Australia,” he said.

Local compliance is another hurdle. “We consistently rank well in terms of program outcomes, but DepEd’s (Department of Education) regulations don’t always reflect the realities of special education,” he noted.

To counter turnover, Learning Ladder invests in internal teacher training and professional development. It also designs classroom experiences to prepare children for larger mainstream schools, offering subject-specific instruction and gradually building student independence.

Despite its challenges, Learning Ladder’s model has proven both impactful and sustainable.

Cebu operations reached return-on-investment (ROI) within five years, and the school now operates on a waitlist basis in some locations, with families waiting up to a year for placement.

“This isn’t just a business,” said Ronald, “It’s a way to give back, to create social value, and to respond to the growing needs of Filipino families who simply want a better future for their children.”

As the company eyes strategic growth corridors in the Visayas and Luzon, its founders remain cautious yet optimistic. “We don’t go where it’s easiest,” Ronald concluded. “We go where we are needed most.”