DepEd opens 12 IP schools

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has opened 12 new schools in the indigenous people’s (IP) communities in the remote towns of Kapalong and Talaingod, Davao del Norte. 

The schools were built to give the IP communities  access to public education.

At least  22 new teachers were hired for the schools.

Teachers were previously paid through the local school board fund from the provincial and municipal governments, but are now being paid by the national government. 

Trained in IP education, the teachers use the multi-grade system to suit the needs of the community.

“The tribal leaders themselves trained the teachers on their culture because even though they are in the same municipalities, each tribe has its unique customs and traditions,” a DepEd official said. 

The  schools started with makeshift classrooms set up with the help of the tribal chieftain, barangay captains and other local officials in the two towns.