Daloy ng Karunugan Para sa Mga Guro ng Katutubong Mag-aaral: An Online Learning Exchange for Teachers
by Cale Belyn Cruz
Everyone has the right to an education. Despite this, many Filipino children still lack resources to attend school, receive quality instruction, and learn in a safe environment. The challenges are often even more difficult for indigenous learners and their teachers.
On July 26, 27, and 29, 2022, Cartwheel Foundation engaged selected teachers of indigenous Sama-Bajau, Talaandig, and Tagbanua students from Zamboanga, Parañaque, Malate, Bukidnon, and Palawan in a three-part series of online learning exchange sessions entitled, “Daloy ng Karunungan Para sa Mga Guro ng Katutubong Mag-aaral.” Together, they delved into themes tackling the realities faced by teachers of indigenous learners. Said themes were expressed by the participant-teachers themselves in a needs assessment consultation conducted a month before. The overall aim of the training series was to support them as they navigate the educational landscape to better guide their students.
The participants partook in a creative expression session facilitated by TJ Jose and Gia Umil from Magis Creative Spaces; an open dialogue session with Mariel Capuno, an indigenous youth leader; and a book reading strategy session conducted by June Kate Perello, a reading specialist.
Session 1: Kumustahan at Pakikiisa
On July 26, 2022, the first session started with a kamustuhan. The resource speakers, TJ Jose and Gia Umil from Magis Creative Spaces, conducted a creative expression session in line with the theme of Pag-aruga sa Sarili Bilang Pag-aruga sa Pinaglilingkuran (Caring for Self and Caring for Children Go Hand-in-Hand).
The concepts of self-compassion and connectedness were explored by creating their own maps as featured in the photo below. They marked important events that happened in the past year and their feelings about it (pagbabalik-tanaw). They also identified places and spaces that they want to go and be in (pagtatanaw sa hinaharap).
“Mapa ng Kalooban” was as a guide for the teachers to look back at their past experiences and current state of well-being
The discussion highlighted the importance of being attuned with oneself through checking in with one’s well-being. Through the activity, the participants were given a space to not only acknowledge the many challenges they faced over the pandemic such as the difficulties of online learning and fatigue from work, but also discover hidden strengths and resources such as their faith and love for their students.
Nenet Hanginan, teacher of Talaandig learners in Bukidnon expressed “…kahit pagod ka dapat meron yung patuloy na pagtiyaga… (even if you are tired, you must have the will to keep on going).” Other teachers expressed that they continue to persevere because of their dedication to their students’ learning, education, and overall well-being.
Giving the same gratitude to the self as they do to their students, the session ended with participants enacting movements as a symbol of thanking oneself. The movement was meant to serve as a reminder to keep open hands and hearts to new challenges and hope for the future.
Session 2: Koneksyon at Inspirasyon
On July 27, 2022, the second session started with the participants greeting each other “good morning” in their own languages. The session covered the theme of Pakikipanayam sa Kapwa Katutubo Tungkol Sa Makabuluhong Edukasyon (Discussing Indigenous Education with a Fellow Indigenous Person) with resource person Mariel Capuno, an indigenous youth leader from the Ayta Mag-indi community of Pampanga.
Session 2 check-in with the participants, Cartwheel staff, and resource speaker, Mariel Capuno
The activity for this session involved pagninilay or reflection upon the realities of how teachers, parents, and their community are toward the indigenous learner. They also were given time to think about how the general environment involving teachers, parents, and their community could be made more ideal for the indigenous learner. Small group discussions among participants , were followed by a sharing and bridging of sentiments and experiences by Mariel Capuno.
Among the many challenges the participants cited, one common reality shared by many was the lack of access and opportunity for an education. The teachers mentioned that they often encounter some parents who opt not to put their children in school for various reasons. One participant shared that a number of indigenous learners with whom she works are are occupied making a living with their parents, so they are unable to attend school regularly.
Meanwhile, the ideal situation that the participants hoped to happen was for parents to also understand the importance of their children’s education. For this to be initiated, parents from indigenous communities must also be given the opportunity to be given an education as well. As Faida Faisal, teacher to Sama-Bajau in Parañaque expressed, she hopes for there to be an education program for parents as well. Based on Mariel Capuno’s experience, the ideal can be real; in her community, parents have access to Alternative Learning System classes for building functional literacy skills. Some children even graduate with their parents.
To sum up the second session, Mariel Capuno encouraged the participants to remain open to opportunities. Culture is not separate from education; creative solutions can be integrated into indigenous learners’ education with the support of teachers, parents, and the whole community.
Session 3: Kalinangan at Integrasyon
On July 29, 2022, the third and last Daloy ng Karunungan session focused on storybook reading strategies facilitated by June Kate Perello, a reading specialist. The theme for the last session tackled Pagpapalalim ng Karansan sa Pagbabasa ng Aklat ng Guro Tungo sa Tagumpay ng Pag-unawa ng Mag-aaral (Improving Teachers’ Reading Experience to Boost Students’ Listening Comprehension).
The activity for this session showcased two Sama-Bajau stories, “Siddda Kabilahiyan Ku Warnah (Ang Paborito Kong Kulay)” and “Tauh Angigal (Igal Galing).” Said stories are featured in the L.A.H.I. (Learning through Art, Heritage and Cultural Identity) Book: Sama-Bajau series initiated by Cartwheel. These two stories were dissected using the Before, During, and After or BDA Process, a framework that uses activities throughout the reading process to help students with their listening comprehension. The resource speaker guided the participants for each stage of the BDA process so that they can apply the strategies and tools learned after the session.
Teacher Perusa reading Tauh Angigal (Igal Galing), one of the stories dissected as part of session’s activity to practice the BDA process
One of the points highlighted during the session is the need to choose age-appropriate books based on their students’ ability to understand the story as well as their interests. To enable teachers to better support their students’ reading development, they need to start with choosing the right books so that they can set the right expectations for their particular age group and help them reach the reading level required.
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Daloy ng Karunungan sessions illustrated the realities teachers of indigenous learners face. With the support of each other as a community of teaching professionals along with the Cartwheel staff as a guide, the participants were able to gain new perspective, insights, tools, and strategies that can further support their dedication to providing quality education to indigenous learners.