Japan group to fund HS curriculum for lumads

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A Japan-based donor group has approved for funding a unique project designed to develop a high school curriculum that is more responsive to the educational needs of Mindanao’s indigenous or lumad students.

According to the Mindanao Economic Development Council, the Japan Foundation Asia Center is ready to fund the project, under its grant program for this year, as soon as the required documentations are completed.

The project, costing P853,000, has four phases: putting up of a database, holding of consultation workshops, preparation of the curriculum and its presentation to the Department of Education.

The project also involves an analysis of best practices of other Asia-Pacific countries and inputs from foreign technical experts on indigenous people’s education.

There are more than 30 ethno-linguistic groups in Mindanao. — Bong Fabe