Lumad kids to Noy: Protect our schools

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – School children from lumad communities are asking President Aquino to protect their schools from harassment allegedly perpetrated by government forces in different areas in Mindanao.

The children asked Aquino to pull out the military and paramilitary groups in their schools and communities. 

Prof. Mae Fe Templa, convenor of Save Our Schools Network Mindanao, said there have been 95  attacks on teachers and students in lumad schools all over Mindanao since September last year.

The figure, which showed an average of eight cases every month, was based on information gathered from more than 200 school children and teachers who participated in the first Lumad Children’s Congress held recently in Tandag, Surigao del Sur. 

“Lumad children have been exposed to life-threatening conditions as their schools are continuously being occupied or attacked by state security forces,” Templa said.

She said the event represented the voice of all lumad children in Mindanao in their struggle for their right to education.