I. Introduction

Creating an ideal learning environment for students with special educational needs (SPED) remains a significant challenge in the Philippines. The Department of Education (DepEd) DO-No.-77-s.-2010 stipulates an ideal student-teacher ratio of 15:1 for SPED classrooms. However, the reality in the Philippines falls far short of this minimum requirement, with a staggering ratio of 31:1. This overwhelming situation makes it difficult for educators to provide the personalized attention crucial for SPED students' success. Many students feel discouraged, their learning suffers, and reaching their full potential becomes a constant struggle (Ramos, C. P., 2023).

In addition to insufficient individualized support, the cost of special education tutoring is prohibitively expensive for many families. In the Philippines, out of 938,150 people considered as having a disability, 320,922 were classified as poor, representing 1.1% of the poor population. Among these, 85,250 were poor children under 18 with disabilities (UNICEF, 2022). This economic strain is also evident in ASEAN countries, where people with disabilities experience higher poverty rates and educational barriers, resulting in significant drops in enrollment rates between primary and secondary education (Ajmone Marsan, G., & Crosta, N., 2023).

Documentation of tutoring sessions is another critical issue. Inadequate records of previously covered material hinder continuous and effective learning for SPED students. In Region XII in the Philippines alone, 1,015 students benefit from the Program Support Fund (PSF) (Department of Education - Schools Division of South Cotabato, 2023). This issue is not confined to the Philippines. For instance, in Brunei Darussalam, 4,503 students with special needs have benefited from inclusive education, yet face similar challenges (Escoto-Kemp et al., 2019). In the United States, about 7.5 million students received special education services during the academic year of 2022–2023, highlighting the widespread nature of this problem (NCES, 2024).

Lesodia is a Learning Management System (LMS) specifically designed to address the issue of insufficient individualized support for learners with special needs. This innovative platform goes beyond traditional methods by offering an integrated tutoring system where leaners and parents can search for and select tutors based on individual requirements. By providing tailored educational experiences, Lesodia helps SPED learners receive the personalized attention they need to succeed. It enhances accessibility, supports academic growth, and fosters a more inclusive and supportive learning environment for special needs learners, effectively bridging the gap in specialized education.