Indigenous peoples in Oriental Mindoro to benefit from culture-based education

Indigenous peoples in Oriental Mindoro will benefit from culturally responsive education via a program between the Department of Education and the De La Salle Brothers Inc. and Pundasyon Hanunuo Mangyan Association.

The DepEd said the partnership seeks to strengthen Indigenous Peoples Education by improving culture-based education and culture-responsive school management in Umabang Elementary School and Bailan Elementary School in Bulalacao town.

“In partnership with Indigenous Peoples' communities and with the support of other stakeholders, we will continue to address education concerns of indigenous learners by boosting our Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program,” DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro said.

Luistro added the DepEd and its partners will continue upholding the right to basic education of every indigenous learner.

Under the program, DLSBI will provide technical assistance in developing a curriculum for the Hanunuo Mangyan community being served by the two schools in Oriental Mindoro.

The program will also bridge the DepEd curriculum competencies and Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP), indigenous learning systems, and community history.

"Furthermore, together with the indigenous community, they will design and conduct trainings for the school heads, teachers, and learning facilitators in the two schools," DepEd said.

“Our main goal is to determine the best modes of delivering basic education to the IP communities nationwide,” DepEd Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Alberto Muyot said.
 
De La Salle Br. Jose Mari Jimenez said they are happy for this opportunity for Mangyan youths.

For his part, PHMA Chairman Anhing Maligday and Vice Chairman Lope Santiago thanked the parties for the program which will benefit the Hanunuo Mangyan community.
 
Through the PHMA, elders and parents of the students are greatly encouraged to be engaged in the implementation and monitoring of the program.

This collaboration also intends to help form the children as effective leaders and advocates of the rights and aspirations of their communities. — Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News