On April 16-27, 2015, Cartwheel Foundation, Inc. (CFI) Team members – Programs Officer Celia Jurado and Education Coordinator Bricks Sintaon — travelled to Butuan City and Barangay Sinakungan, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur to touch base with the Higaonon tribe as partnership continues for the implementation of the Early Childhood and Elementary Education (ECEE) Program in DOP Sinakungan Indigenous Peoples’ (IP) School. Now on its sixth year, coordination meetings involving stakeholders have been set in preparation for complete program turn-over to the community by school year 2016.

Program updates from Higaonon teachers

Four Higaonon teachers gathered at the IP Apostolate Office in Butuan City on April 17 and 18 for program assessment, evaluating the past school year 2014-2015. They gave encouraging feedback on how community members have been more conscious of choosing farming areas nearer the school so their children no longer need to travel too far to get to school or be away for too long. Although absenteeism among learners’ remains a challenge, teachers make extra effort to visit their homes to check on them. The children and their families are reminded to give importance to regular attendance in classes, as much as possible.

Higaonon teachers work together in giving feedback on the ECEE Program in school year 2014-2015

Nonoy Agbungan and Mary Jane Lidanhog, both Higaonon residents of Sinakungan, are new teachers who were most recently chosen by CFI to handle classes for Grades 1-4. One of the teachers they replaced, Aljun Lenario, is currently a Young IP Leaders Program grantee on his first year taking up Agriculture in Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology.

Mary Jane during her teaching demonstration, where her skills were considered in the selection of new teachers

Steps toward complete program turn-over  

In a meeting with Fr. Carlito Clase of the IP Apostolate in Butuan City on April 20, CFI presented plans for the coming months in transitioning for the community’s complete ownership of the ECEE Program. CFI commits to monitoring teachers until 2016, especially in their practice of IP education principles and techniques; program costs are to be covered by the IP Apostolate, in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd). Fr. Clase has been in talks with DepEd with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) already signed, though they have yet to follow through with continued coordination for the upcoming school years.

The barangay captain of Sinakungan, including three kagawads, was also met by members of the CFI Team on April 22. The new CFI community organizer, Mike Onduran, was formally introduced to these officials as lead coordinator in initiating government involvement in support of the ECEE Program.

Continued community engagement

Community members positively responded to the CFI Team when they gathered for an assessment meeting on April 23 looking back at the past school year. They expressed appreciation for their children’s teachers, with the parents and other adults encouraging each other to show support by continuously being active in their practice of pahina or maintaining order and cleanliness around their school. Those present at the meeting also shared that they valued being consulted about plans and initiatives for the program, affirming that they indeed played significant roles in contributing to their children’s education.

CFI Team members gathered the ECEE Program learners separately and facilitated expressive arts activities with the children on April 23. Participants especially enjoyed working with coloring materials, combing their visual art pieces, and using various body movement as ways to freely express themselves. They easily understood instructions and responded consistently with much enthusiasm.

Exploring the joys of expressive arts, learners collaborate to form a community mural