WANGAL, La Trinidad- Benguet educators gathered for a day to celebrate Indigenous Peoples Education with the theme “Karunungan ng Katutubong Pamayanan, Paigtingin: Pundasyon ng Katutubong Edukasyon” at Benguet Sports Center, Wangal, La Trinidad on Sep. 26 in the light of Schools Division of Benguet’s commitment to promote culture-based education.
Moreover, the congress served as educational avenue for cultural expression and awareness of Benguet Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs). Participants from the public and private schools including higher education institutuions wore ethnic attires and paraded from Buyagan Elementary school to the said venue.
Benilda M. Daytaca, recently installed Officer-In-Charge of the Office of the Schools Division Superintendent, welcomed the participants with a reminder that, “Ang katutubong karunungan ay salamin ng pag-asenso ng isang pamayanan; Give values to cultural practices of our ancestors and apply it todays situation.”
Meanwhile, Maria Lourie C. Victor, indigenous peoples education consultant from DepEd Central Office and the Keynote Speaker for the day, encouraged teachers to strengthen and develop further the wisdom of our ancestors to be inherited by the learners. She concluded her speech saying, “To grow a holistic learner, there is a need for the learner to familiarize himself to the community because it takes a village to rear a child.”
On the other hand, Nardo Cayat, Executive Assistant of Governor Melchor D. Diclas, reiterated the enriching of ways on passing IKSPs because these paved way for us to be resilient amidst challenges.
Further, showcasing of IP dances such as Tallak, Taychek, Binukaw, Ginatiley, Hagigi and Bindiyan and playing IP games like Kadang-kadang, Yakyak-ing and Sanggol culminated the congress.
By June Winver D. Joaquin
