Mindoro’s culture-based education improved

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with various organizations to improve culture-based education and culture-responsive school management in Oriental Mindoro.

“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 Program,” Education Secretary Armin Luistro said in a statement.

The project involves the development of a curriculum for the Hanunuo Mangyan communities that are being served by the Umabang Elementary School and Bailan Elementary School in Bulalacao town.

 “Our main goal is to determine the best modes of delivering basic education to the IP communities nationwide,” Education Undersecretary for legal affairs Alberto Muyot said.

The curriculum will be developed by DepEd with the De La Salle Brothers Inc. (DLSBI) and the Pundasyon Hanunuo Mangyan Association (PHMA).

DepEd said the curriculum that will be developed will bridge general areas of competencies with indigenous knowledge systems and practices, indigenous learning systems, and community history.

DepEd said they will also design and conduct trainings for school heads, teachers and learning facilitators.