INDIGENOUS peoples (IPs) will no longer remain the most vulnerable and marginalized citizens because of their lack of access to basic social services, limited livelihood opportunities which lead to social, economic and political exclusion. This was the assurance made by the Department of Education (DepEd) as it joined the rest of the nation in celebrating the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on Sunday.
The DepEd will remain steadfast in its commitment to provide access to an inclusive and culture-based education to every indigenous learner in the country, said
Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro, FSC. He said this was made possible through continued efforts in enhancing the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program and strengthening the capacity of our public schools and learning programs to deliver such services.
“Recognizing the right of indigenous peoples to culturally rooted and responsive basic education, the DepEd has recently adopted the Indigenous Peoples Education Curriculum Framework [DepEd Order 32, Series of 2015], which seeks to provide guidance to schools and other education programs as they engage with indigenous communities in contextualizing the K to 12 curriculum based on their respective educational and social contexts,” Luistro said.
Together with the indigenous communities, the DepEd renewed its call to all education stakeholders to support the continuous transformation of our education system into one that truly recognizes and celebrates cultural diversity. “We remain faithful to our vow that no child shall be left behind in education.”
The DepEd has already released an education policy framework for IPs aimed at making the Philippine educational system truly inclusive and respectful of the diversity of learners especially those belonging to the minority groups. Luistro said it is part of the DepEd’s mandate to provide basic education for all, and to recognize and promote the rights and welfare of IPs to enable them to face various social realities and challenges.
The signing of the education policy framework for IPs, Luistro said, is the DepEd’s modest contribution to the United Nations celebration of World Indigenous Peoples Day, which is observed on August 9 of every year.
“When we were working on the education policy framework for IPs, we had in mind their special needs, history, language, culture, as well as their social and economic aspirations and priorities,” Luistro then said.
“A basic education that is culturally sensitive is an essential means for IPs to claim their other rights, exercise self-determination and expand the choices available to them,” Luistro said.
There are existing models and best practices on IP education based on successful interventions by the DepEd and non-governmental and IP organizations. The departmental consolidated these experiences and lessons to formulate a systematic and coherent IP education program. The education policy framework for IPs seeks to ensure that the provision of quality basic education for all IPs will lead to functional literacy.
The DepEd will work with the National Commission on Indigenous
Peoples, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, local government units and other government agencies to provide IPs with culture-responsive basic education through formal school and alternative learning systems.
It also calls for the adoption of appropriate basic education pedagogy, content, and assessment through the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices in all learning areas and processes. The DepEd will adopt the mother tongue-based multilingual education for IPs learners.
The policy framework also aims to provide adequate and culturally appropriate learning resources and environment to IPs learners including the development of textbooks and other supplementary learning materials specifically for IPs learners. Part of the IPs education framework is to strengthen the hiring, deployment, and continuous development of teachers and learning facilitators implementing the IP Education Program.
The DepEd shall review, harmonize, and align its teacher education and development policies—consistent with the National Competency-Based Teacher Standards.