From October 21 to 25, 2024, a total of 22 child development workers and teachers from six Indigenous communities across the Philippines gathered in Quezon City for the Daloy ng Karunungan Training Series. Designed for child development workers and teachers (CDW/Ts), the five-day series explored ways to nurture meaningful, culturally rooted education for Indigenous learners. With guidance from experienced resource persons, the sessions were anchored on the Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) Competency Standards, placing a strong emphasis on integrating the rich heritage of Indigenous communities into learning practices.

Educators representing the Aeta, Ayta Mag-Antsi, Higaonon, Mangyan, Sama-Bajau, Talaandig, and Umayamnon communities, hailing from Zambales, Pampanga, Misamis Oriental, Oriental Mindoro, Paranaque, Zamboanga, and Bukidnon came together with heartfelt dedication and active participation.

Day 1: Child Growth, Development, and Learning

The training opened with a spotlight on storytelling as a tool for developing literacy among young learners. Teacher Michelle Agas, an early literacy advocate, led the session on Effective Storytelling, introducing practical and creative approaches to engaging children’s imaginations.

In the afternoon, Teacher Jico Santos guided participants through Understanding Reading-Readiness, sharing easy-to-apply strategies to support early reading skills while respecting the unique contexts of their learners.

The day was made even more meaningful through the support of the Adarna Group Foundation, Inc. (AGFI), who coordinated resource persons and provided resource material packs for the participants. 

 

 

Day 2: Curriculum + Assessment and Reporting

On Day 2, the training delved into understanding each child holistically. Professor Katherine Claudette Avelino-Tandoc, or Teacher Claude, drew on her 30 years of teaching experience to emphasize developmentally appropriate practices and the role of play in early childhood education.

Through her sessions, participants explored practical techniques for assessing young learners and reflected on their own teaching practices. As one participant shared, “I had so many realizations—not just about my students, but also about myself as a parent. I learned I was doing things I thought were right but weren’t.” (“Super daming realizations – sa paaralan, sa bahay, sa estudyante at higit sa lahat, sa aking anak. May mga bagay pala akong ginagawa na mali na akala ko noon ay tama.”).

Day 3: 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀

The third day bridged cultural identity and education, starting with a session on Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) led by Professor Merceds “Ched” Arzadon. Participants explored how the mother tongue shapes learning experiences and strengthens cultural identity among Indigenous learners.

Rainey Dolatre, a longtime team member of Cartwheel Foundation, followed with a session on integrating Indigenous culture into teaching practices, encouraging participants to connect learning with their community’s heritage.

The day concluded with an interactive workshop on creating nurturing learning environments led by Raquel Cabrieto, an education development professional with experience in capacity-building for teachers and school leaders, who highlighted the significance of spaces that promote engagement, belonging, and meaningful learning experiences.

Rainey shared an important reflection during her session:

“Ang hitsura ng culturally relevant education ay maraming salamin. Tanungin natin ang ating mga sarili. Ang paraan ba ng pagtuturo, ang laman ba ng ating tinuturo ay nagsisilbing salamin ng karanasan ng mga bata at komunidad ng katutubo? Dahil mahalaga na makita nila ang sarili nilang bahagi sila ng inaaral nila,” a reminder that encouraged the participants to reflect on the importance of teaching in ways that mirror the lived experiences of their students.

Day 4: Personal and Professional Growth

Day 4 offered a reflective pause for participants to reconnect with themselves and each other. Facilitated by Raquel Cabrieto, the kumustahan session encouraged educators to share their experiences, embrace self-awareness, and listen openly to others’ perspectives.

This moment of reflection offered a grounding experience—one that reminded everyone to honor their own stories while listening with care to others.

Day 5: Strengthening Family and Community Linkages

On Day 5, the training wrapped up with a session focused on strengthening the connection between educators, families, and communities. Led by both educators, Genica Bucao and Z Santillan of Pilipinas Journal, the discussions and activities explored how teachers might recognize the systemic factors influencing children’s behavior, their own significant role in shaping the future through education, and the interconnected ecosystems of support within their communities. 

This session served as the final topic of Daloy ng Karunungan, bringing the series to a close by reinforcing the significance of collaboration between educators, families, and communities in building a stronger foundation for children’s growth and development. 

Culminating Activity and Final Reflections

Following the morning and afternoon learning sessions on the fifth day of the training, on the evening of October 25, Cartwheel team wrapped up the week with a short program where participants received certificates in recognition of their participation. As part of the final activity, everyone gathered in a circle where they shared what lessons from the experience they would carry back to their communities. To end on a joyful note, the group danced to Idana, a traditional Manobo dance from Bukidnon that celebrates unity and cultural pride, reflecting the connections formed throughout the week. 

Cartwheel recognizes and appreciates the personal sacrifices made by these educators, who traveled from their hometowns to be part of this experience, driven by the hope of growing their own skills and knowledge to bring back to the communities they serve.

Our deepest gratitude goes to the partner organizations who made it possible for these educators to attend. A heartfelt thank you also to our main funding and development partner, Metrobank Foundation, Inc., whose generous support made this initiative possible. 

This initiative is a shared journey toward the 2030 SDG for quality early childhood education for all, with a special focus on Filipino Indigenous Peoples. Each step we take is a step closer to ensuring that every child, no matter their background, has access to the education they deserve.