Closing 55 Lumad Schools in Mindanao:
MA’AM, SORRY
I’M LATE
ANHS digs in on students’ tardiness
During the early morning hours, seventh grader Tonton would rise up earlier than his peers, aiding his fisherman father to push their boat on the shores of Ladol. While most boys his age would sleep until morning and play mobile games on their vacant hours, Tonton spends his mornings laboring for his daily allowance, including his fare and meal.
After he finished his early rituals, the young fishing aide will have a quick bath, have a bite of last night’s bahaw and wear his threadbare school uniform. By the time he reached his school, he is one hour late, and the teacher reprimands Tonton for his tardiness.
STORY CONTINUES, PAGE 3
Story by Lady Mae Traya, Jhanica Lopez
Additional Reporting : Dianna Sargado
Photo by: Celesty Belle Guatlo
NEWS ANALYSIS
CRIPPLED BUT FIGHTING
ANHS thrives despite budget complication
Last year, Alabel National High School (ANHS) journalism team conquered the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC) with relative dominance, finishing their campaign
with an overall championship honors. With the recently ended 2019 DSPC, the team, alongside defending their title, endured yet another battle: funding difficulties- but this never
stopped them from winning. Despite the delayed budget brought upon by the implementation of the Zero Collection Policy within the municipality, Alabel National High School (ANHS) still maintains its winning tradition bagging championship plums in three different cocurricular events.
On October 7, ANHS was hailed as the best performing school during the Division Schools Press Conference 2019,
where 24 campus journalists qualify for the regionals; the school also claimed the championship title in Bayle sa
and Electrical Wiring and Installation contest during the Division Integrated Competitions.
Kalye
Story by Yrah Moneza Pulalon, Jhanica Lopez
: Dianna Sargado
SH students dance as protest
against closure of Lumad schools
There are 18 Lumad ethnolinguistic groups in Sarangani namely, Atta, Bagobo, Banwaon, B'laan, Bukidnon, Dibabawon, Higaonon, Mamanwa, Mandaya, Manguwangan, Manobo, Mansaka, Subanon, Tagakaolo, Tasaday, Tboli, Teduray, and Ubo.
DATA FROM: https:// intercontinentalcry.org
DepEd
Sarangani collaborates
As part of their performance task in Physical Education class, grade 11 Capricorn students were given an avenue to express their collective opinion on societal concern through a contemporary dance recital on October 28.
Composed of 8 members, group A of the mentioned section rendered a heartfelt number which explicitly conveyed their dismay over closure of Lumad Community Learning Centers in Region XI (Davao Region).
“Our choreography is centered on our anger over the decision of the DepEd Region XI to shut down the Lumad community schools based on the malevolent claims of the military, which lead to the alienation of thousands of Lumad
with external community to improve reading
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss, “I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!” Reading is an important part of a child’s development to be a better citizen. According to DepEd-Sarangani Division CID Chief, Dr. Donna Panes, Sarangani Province used to have an alarming number of 4,000 students that were classified as non-readers. Alongside this problem is the recent result of the 2019 Programme for International Student Assessment where the Philippines ranked last out of 79 countries in reading comprehension.
To counter this problem, DepEd organized tutorial reading programs consisting both of teachers and reading-proficient students as the tutor-staff. Programs like these included the Sarangani Big Brother Program, and the annual Summer Reading Camp in some schools in the province like the Alabel National High School.
With these steps already taken to reduce the illiteracy rate among the Sarangan youth, educational institutions seek to extend its hand to expand its advocacy. Thus, last December 11, 2019, the 1st SchoolBased Tutorial Implementers’ Congess was held at the Sarangani Provincial Capitol. This program was organized by
DepEd Sarangani led by Division English Coordinator Laforeza Maguate and John Jerson Constantino, in partnership with the International Church of Latter-Day Saints Charities; Save the Children; and former DepEd Sarangani SDS Leticia Cabang. Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and Dan Evans of Governor’s Commission were also in attendance, together with other district supervisors along the province.
In this congress, it was known that the school-based tutorial program is armed with a mix of teaching staff, and students who are excelling in class performance as part of the strategy’s tutoring force.
School-based tutorial program has been adapted as a vital instrument to decrease the rate of non-reading students among the Sarangan youth, and as Dr. Panes claimed, the formerly 4000 non-readers were reduced to half as of the present studies.
“We want to help everyone, not only members of our church but other people, as Christ would do,” Elder Charles Owens of the Latter-Day Saints commented. By next year, the program aims to improve on its advocacy, as it already modified its plans by adding more training activities and more funds to sustain its campaign to help the students read more and read better.
By Jhanica Lopez
children to their right to education,” Shane Lada, leader of Group A, said.
PE teacher, Adams Sayson, also share the same insight with the group saying that the move of DepEd Region XI is an irony to their goal of education for all.
“Divergent to what the DepEd is trying hard to portray, the order is unjustifiable and discriminating. It is a clear denial of Lumad’s hope for education,” Sayson said.
Meanwhile, Emegeline Velarde, grade 11 adviser perceived that DepEd office in the region failed to conduct a proper investigation and that the learning centers were deprived of a chance to respond to the allegations.
“The DepEd XI should have formed a ‘fact-finding team’ to supposedly look into the allegations against Lumad schools, but it is as if they really have no intention to do so,” she said.
School principal Ernesto Yuzon, on the other hand, explained that the performance of the students does not necessarily reflect the general stand of the school on the matter. Yet, he lauds senior high school’s learning activity which provided the students a platform to take part on social issues.
“I like their activity. They had given a new dimension on how we see dancing not just a mere form entertainment but a tool to express opinion,” he said. By
Jhanica Lopez
FALSE INDICTMENT
ANHS denies collection allegation
Alabel National High School administration has denied the allegation that teachers collected money from the students during the second quarter examination.
“It’s not true. Our teachers did not impose such fee from our learners,” principal Ernesto Yuzon told Sarangani Tribute on October 20.
The case stemmed from a parentcomplainant who reported to the Mayor’s office over the phone about the alleged irregular acts of some teachers in the school.
LITTLE TO NO BUDGET
However, behind these successes, teachers have to pullout money from their own pocket to compensate the needed budget.
“We need to participate in the contest even if that would mean using our own money. We’ve prepared for the contest and so our students. Kaya kahit mangutang kami gagawin namin para makatuloy sa contest,” Ellen Olmoguez, journalism coach said.
Teachers particularly the coaches whined about the delayed budget and the bulk of requirements needed to justify the need for fund and the reimbursement system of the LGU.
“The need to get funds is as hard as the competition itself. We need to comply bulk of papers to justify the need for fund,” they explained.
DELAYED REPORTS
According to Dennis J. Briones, administrative aid of the mayor’s office,
“After learning from Mayor Salarda about the accusation, the school immediately conducted an investigation, we even interviewed all the students of the section referred to by the complainant,” Yuzon explained. “No student affirmed the allegation.”
On the other hand, several teachers, who requested anonymity, claimed that the issue is so malicious and blatant that it would stain their dignity as professionals.
“We respect the existing zero collection policy in our municipality. Parents have to understand that even though subsidy is delayed, we did not dare to collect from their children, instead, we draw penny from our poor purse to compensate classroom needs for the students,” teachers’ representative argued. They even challenged the complainant to show up and lay his/her evidences against them, but nobody responded.
the budget for competitions come from the Special Education Fund (SEF).
“The funds are delayed because the reporting and liquidation of the previous subsidy was given on a later date,” Briones said. “There are also discrepancies in the reports that we need to fix. By that time, the contests have already started.”
SOLUTION
So as not to compromise the studentcontestants for the delay of fund, coaches contributed a hefty sum of 60 thousand pesos for meals, contest materials and fare, while the school admin shared Php 30,000 for contest registration.
“The only way is that we should not rely only on what the LGU gives; we have to get funding even if it will cost us our own money,” principal Ernesto Yuzon said.
“We do hope that reimbursement will come soon.”
For fair and balance treatment of the issue, principal Yuzon requested the mayor’s office for a fact finding team to resolve the matter.
By Yrah Moniza Pulalon
specially that the regional competitions are forthcoming.
With the existing troubles in the ZeroCollection program of the administration that are faced by the school and the teacher-coaches themselves, teachers are now appealing to collect mandatory fees such as journalism and girl scout and boy scout fees as it is mandated in the law. They insist that it would be a win-win solution for both the school and the LGU since the latter is also struggling with budgeting.
“If the government can’t give all our needs, I think it’s time to do our part. Parang hindi naman din masyadong mabigat ang 120 per school year na babayaran ng mga estudyante if the LGU will allow us to collect,” Olmoguez noted.
“Our students need enough budget for their contest. When the students win, they don’t only carry their name, they bring the pride of the school and the municipality,” she ended. ANHS thrives despite... News Analysis (from page 1)
The Local Government of Alabel, on the other hand, promised they will speed up the process in releasing the budget
GRACEFUL APPEAL This female performer had a serene moment following the ethnic melody of the Blaan Tribe. Grade 11 students of Alabel National High School artistically expressed their disagreement with the closure of Lumad schools in Mindananao implicitly saying that such is a violation of people right and access to education.
Photo taken by Celety Belle Guatlo.
Grade 11 students of Alabel National High School made their opinions clear as they danced to denounce DepEd Davao Region’s resolution ordering the permanent closure of more than 50 campuses of the Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center.
Pupils from Glan Central SPED Center flaunted their
competence in a readers theatre number during the Reading Summit in Sarangani Provincial Capitol. (Photo by Jonnathan Agreda)