Education Comes To The Indigenous Peoples of Mindanao

Fulfilling his promise of regional development in Mindanao, President Rodrigo Duterte through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Education (DepEd) will build 251 schools — 75 in the Caraga region, 69 in the Davao region, 50 in Socsargen, 39 in Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula with 18.

The DSWD will fund the projects while the DepEd will provide a total of 583 teachers.

In keeping with the preservation of the rich and varied cultures of Mindanao, the architectural designs of the schools will be identified by the cultural preference of the community they are in. The indigenous people (IP) of the region are after all, “the living expressions of our tradition and culture” according to DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones.

An IP education office will also be re-established to accommodate concerns regarding these schools and give special attention to IP education.

President Duterte has always been a champion for the marginalized sector of society. Duterte is determined to bring progress to the Mindanao region not only through peace and order, rural and regional development but also by educating its youth. (PNA) FPV/AA/LTA/PND/EBP