DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION | OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

PRESS RELEASE

DepED Formulates Education Policies for Indigenous Peoples

The Department of Education has formulated a policy framework for indigenous peoples that aims to make the Philippine educational system truly inclusive and respectful of the diversity of learners especially those belonging to the minority groups.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said it is part of DepEd’s mandate to provide basic education for all, one that recognizes and promotes the rights and welfare of indigenous peoples to enable them to face various social realities and challenges.

The signing of the education policy framework for lPs, according to Luistro, is DepEd’s modest contribution to the United Nations celebration of World Indigenous Peoples' Day which is observed August 9 of every year.

“When we were working on the education policy framework for lPs, we had in mind their special needs, history, language, culture, as well as their social and economic aspirations and priorities,” Luistro added.

IPs 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.

"A basic education that is culturally sensitive is an essential means for lPs to claim their other rights, exercise self-determination, and expand the choices available to them." explained Luistro.

While there are existing models end best practices on lP education based on successful interventions by DepEd, non-government and lP organizations, the department consolidated these experiences and lessons to formulate a systematic and coherent lP education program. DepEd formulated the education policy framework in consultation with representatives from lP communities, civil society, and other government agencies.

The education policy framework for lP seeks to ensure the provision of quality basic education for all IPs that will lead to functional literacy. DepEd will work with the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), local government unties (LGUs), 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 (IKSPs) in all learning areas and processes. DepEd will adopt the mother tongue-based multilingual education for IP learners.

The policy framework also seeks to provide adequate and culturally-appropriate learning resources and environment to lP learners including the development of textbooks and other supplementary learning materials specifically for the IP learners.

Part of the lP education framerwork is to strengthen the hiring, deployment, and continuous development of teachers and learning facilitators implementing the lP Education Program. The DepEd shall review, harmonize, and align its teacher education and development policies – consistent with the National Competency-Based Teacher Standards (NCBTS).

Moreover, DepEd will establish and strengthen appropriate multi-level units within DepED responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring IP education interventions. It shall likewise ensure that adequate financial support from various sources such as the agency's regular annual budget and the LGUS' Special Education Fund (SEF), among others - are readily available to implementing units to ensure smooth implementation and sustainability of education services.

An important part of these education policies for lPs is the implementation of a stronger affirmative action to eradicate all forms of discrimination against lPs in the entire Philippine educational system. ln line with this policy, all concerned DepED offices and units shall also ensure that textbooks, supplementary learning materials, and other learning resource are free from discriminatory content and erroneous accounts, descriptions, and visual depictions, which misrepresent the history and culture of lPs or do not adequately acknowledge them.

"To ensure compliance of all concerned sectors, the DepED shall organize consultations and dialogues as needed to periodically review the implementation of this policy framework and other policy directives and interventions that will ensue from it," declared Luistro.

-August 8, 2011