13/05/2024
𝗞𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗶𝘆𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗳𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻,
𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗝𝗥𝗠𝗦𝗨
Indigenous education and the importance, challenges, and opportunities of its culture echoed as the Kadaiyahan 2024 Symposium transpired in the serene confines of the Jose Rizal Memorial State University Audio-Visual Hall, on May 10, 2024.
Through a video presentation, Senator Loren Legarda, a long-standing advocate for education and indigenous rights, emphasized the pressing challenges that the educational sector faces today, particularly in integrating indigenous knowledge and cultures into the mainstream curriculum.
"Upang maging produktibo ang programa ng pamahalaan kailangan taasan ang tingin sa mga katutubo para sila ay makapasok sa eskwela. Kung hindi ito magawa mararamdaman lamang nila ang kanilang kaibahan at maaring pang maghimok ito ng kahiyaan sa kanilang pinagmulan," said Senator Legarda as she underscored the barriers imposed by cultural and linguistic divides, often leaving indigenous communities on the fringes of educational policies and practices.
Senator Legarda is known to passionately argue for a more inclusive educational framework, through the Integrated Tertiary Act of 2016, which seeks to integrate indigenous culture, history, and identity within the national educational curriculum.
Meanwhile, JRMSU President Dr. Maria Rio Naguit emphasized the importance of respect and understanding across diverse social spectrum, and encouraged the participants to draw character from Dr. Jose Rizal.
Distinct speakers including Hon. Kathlyn U. Hamoy, NCIP Edgar I. Gumanas, and Professor Jann Dainver L. Maravilla, who advocate for the preservation of indigenous traditions and cultural treasures in the country also graced the event.
Initiated by Mr. Ralf Alfrey Alberca, the symposium not only highlighted the complexities of integrating indigenous knowledge into mainstream education but also served as a call to action for policymakers, educators, and the community to foster an environment of respect and inclusivity, marking a significant step towards bridging gaps and building a more cohesive educational landscape in the Philippines.
Writer | Anjeneth Yu
Photos | Anjeneth Yu