The “othering” of Lumad and indigenous communities in the Philippines continues in formal education as it is deeply entrenched in the country’s colonial past. This paper argues that the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) in formal basic education (BEd) is the key to decolonizing it. Through using narrative inquiry, this paper gained significant insights from five teachers of indigenous learners from Bukidnon, Philippines. Major themes emerging from the study include affirming the school as a mediator of and for indigenous learning, discovering opportunities for bridging gaps between the Lumad context and the structure of formal education through implementing a Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, and recognizing the indigenous context to reclaim their identity and agency. It suggests that teachers are the driving force of decolonization in the classroom as they facilitate critical centering on dynamic community languages, integrate indigenous learners’ valued practices and knowledges in the classroom, historicize and contextualize content and instruction, build students’ capacity to contend with internalized oppressions, and attempt to curricularize all the above in learning settings while considering their personal challenges and limited support. Based on teachers’ narratives, students tend to be more responsive and interested when they are exposed to IKSPs in the classroom, asking more questions and giving examples from their own experiences. They also show eagerness and excitement in learning as their experiences are affirmed and valued. These are concrete steps toward decolonizing the BEd as they contextualize and ground indigenous learning, focus on the individual, and value knowings and heritage.

Authors:
Adeva Jane Esparrago-Kalidas, Ateneo de Manila University/ Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Ms. Adeva Jane Esparrago – Kalidas MAEd, MCAS currently teaches English Language, Literature, and Research at Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, Philippines and is taking her PhD in Education at Ateneo de Manila University, Philippines.

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