by Klarisse Galido

Partners’ assessment and teachers’ training sessions were conducted by Cartwheel Executive Director Pia Ortiz-Luis, Programs Officer Celia Jurado, and Education Coordinator Bricks Sintaon on August 16-20, 2015 after completion of the first program cycle of the Angiskul ma Bangka (Classes in Bancas) for the Bajau and Tausug partner community in Mampang, Zamboanga. Representatives from funding partner Karapatan sa Malikhaing Paraan (KaSaMa) joined part of the visit to meet with the indigenous learners and their families.

 

Present with Cartwheel team members were Bajau volunteer teachers Relinda Montimor, Sariba Abdulbasit and Mayda Oroc, and representative of local implementing partner Ateneo de Zamboanga University-Center for Community Extension Services (ADZU-CCES) Fatima Ahiyal.

 

 

Together, they all interacted with the community members during the assessment. Their meeting was successful as favorable feedback was shown by both parents and volunteer teachers in their renewed commitment to the Angiskul ma Bangka (AmB) Program. The parents expressed appreciation in seeing the value in education and character formation of their children as they are continuously sent to school. A specific point brought up was the importance of regular consultation throughout the school year which allows the community members and teachers to take part in decision making for AmB Program. It is in this way that they are able to discern the needs of the community and at the same time, align the efforts of all stakeholders. The quality partnership between ADZU-CCES and Cartwheel was also recognized in contributing to the success of program implementation.

 

 

Representatives Jenny Lind Elmaco, Hans Kevin Mandanguit, and Anwedda Navarra from KaSaMa Secretariat received a very warm welcome from the community during their visit. Young children and elders performed a traditional Bajau dance called “Igal-igal,” imitating the movement of an eagle. They interacted with parents, teachers and learners who presented their envisioned design for the construction of their boat classroom.

 

 

Among the objectives of the teachers’ training session were the development of teaching techniques as well as innovation in classroom management approaches. A meaningful activity which integrated elements from their indigenous culture was shared to strengthen their dedication to their service as AmB teachers.  Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers Relinda and Sariba, together with newly hired Adult Capability Building Program (ACAP) teacher Mayda, completed the training with newly acquired skills. The activities designed in past trainings have proven effective as shown in the improvement in the ECE teachers: they have been able to enhance their capabilities as instructors while at the same time, broaden their understanding of their own Bajau culture.