The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Lubos na Alyansa ng mga Katutubong Ayta ng Sambales (LAKAS) formalized its partnership through a memorandum of agreement for the implementation of Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program at Lakas High School—the first formal culture-based secondary school specifically serving the Ayta community in Bihawo, Botolan, Zambales.
The partnership allows for the active involvement of the Ayta elders and culture bearers in the implementation of the Ayta IPEd program.
Operating for three years now, Lakas HS is a product of the concerted efforts of the Ayta elders and DepEd-Zambales. To date, the school has 92 Ayta students and eight teachers.
Education Secretary Br. Armin A. Luistro FSC emphasized the need of the education system to be inclusive and centered on the needs of the learners. He said that indigenous knowledge is part of being a Filipino and to understand and appreciate it, one must learn it without judgment.
He said, “Maraming salamat po sa inyong kultura na nagtatanggal ng sapatos o tsinelas sa pag-akyat sa bahay ng karunungan. Ito ay magandang paalala sa akin, sa aking mga kasamahan sa DepEd, at sa lahat ng mga guro ng pormal na edukasyon. Hindi tayo makakapagsulong ng pormal na edukasyon kapag hindi tayo marunong magtanggal ng sapin sa paa. Dahil kalimitan kapag hindi natin pinapaalalahanan ang ating sarili, may mga sapin tayo sa ating paa at sa buong katawan na hindi nagbibigay sa atin ng tunay na pagtingin sa kaalaaman at karunungan.”
“Sa aking palagay, ang unang hakbang para matutunan ang ating kayamanan bilang Pilipino ay tanggalin natin ang mga sapin sa ating paa, mata, tenga, at ibang bahagi ng ating katawan,” Luistro added.
The Ayta IPed program at the said school shall be known as Libon Nin Idokasyon Boy Oli-an Natotowan. The curriculum and evaluation process of the said program shall be formulated by DepEd and LAKAS Ayta Leadership. Teachers who will be deployed to Lakas HS shall also undergo orientation with the LAKAS Ayta elders on the customs and practices of the Ayta of Botolan.
“Ang katutubong kaalaman ay mahalagang maisalin sa iba pang salinlahi ng aming tribung Ayta. Dahil sa IPEd o Katutubong Edukasyon, nakilala namin ang aming mga ninuno at aming kultura,” said Esel Cabalic, a grade 8 student of Lakas HS.
She added, “Kami ay nagpapasalamat sa Kagawaran ng Edukasyon sa pagkilala ng aming karapatan na magkaroon ng Katutubong Edukasyon o IPEd. Isang Katutubong Edukasyon kung saan ito ay aangkop at gagabay sa pagkatuto naming mga katutubo.”
Chieftain and President of LAKAS Fe Balbin said that the partnership is proof of DepEd’s continued commitment to IPEd, adding, “Nangangahulugan po ito na kaming mga katutubo ay mahal ng DepEd. Ibig sabihin po ay hindi kami ihinuhuli sa larangan ng edukasyon.”
LAKAS is non-stock and non-profit Indigenous Peoples’ organization of Ayta in Botolan, Zambales.
– From the Department of Education
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