BIBLIOGRAPHY KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL...
BIBLIOGRAPHY
KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013. Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in
Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic
School). Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Maria Luz D. Fang-asan, PhD
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to document the dynamics of the Bauko Catholic School-
School of Living Tradition (BCS-SLT) in transmitting indigenous knowledge,
skills and practices to its students.
This study characterized the people involved in the program; described how the
SLT was established; drew the framework being followed in the implementation of
the BCS-SLT program; determined the IKSPs being taught; identified the strategies used
by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs; and determined the challenges encountered by the
SLT program.
The researcher interviewed three key informants and 50 student respondents to
answer the objectives of the study. BCS-SLT was composed of four key players with
different functions. These were: school directors and school principals, teachers,
community elders, and students of the school.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
The BCS-SLT started with a teacher-training program, IKSPs integration in the
curriculum, establishment of SLT Day and SLT convention.
The general objectives set by the Bontoc-Lagawe vicariate for the SLT program
were: to improve quality of education through teacher training and higher studies; to
integrate IKSPs in the curriculum; and to sustain the parochial schools through scholarships
and salary subsidy. For BCS, the specific objectives for the program were: to improve the
quality of education through faculty development and updated educational facilities; to
equip students through training with practical skills; to provide financial assistance to poor
but deserving students; to produce globally competitive graduates who are knowledgeable
and proud of their cultural identity; to conduct researches and studies on IKSPs that could
be integrated into the curriculum; and to undertake income generating projects to meet the
financial requirements of SLT projects.
To attain these objectives, the BCS-SLT had established several projects such as
educational, cultural, environmental and income generating projects.
Monitoring and evaluation of the BCS-SLT program was done through monitoring
the academic performance of the students; by organizing the annual SLT day and by
participating in the annual SLT convention of all SLT members in Mountain Province.
The IKSPs taught to students were on indigenous literature, local governance,
ethno-mathematics, and, indigenous games, songs and dances, indigenous prayers, rituals
and values, and others.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
These were integrated in the appropriate subjects and were taught through practical
performance or return demonstration, discussion, research, film viewing, and group
activities.
The challenges encountered by the BCS-SLT were on limited resources; difficulty
in finding common convenient for trainings and supplementations; ambiguity of purpose;
reluctance of students to participate in SLT-related activities; and difficulties in
teachinglearning process.
The study then concluded that BCS-SLT framework is different from the SLT of
NCCA; the players in the BCS-SLT are interdependent in their roles and functions; the
BCS-SLT went through different stages before it was established; IKSPs are integrated in
the curriculum of BCS; BCS-SLT is effective in transmitting IKSPs.
With these conclusions, the study recommends that to further improve the BCSSLT
program, evaluation must be conducted by the school; written outputs of the researches of
the students and teachers must be compiled and package into an Information Education
Campaign (IEC) material; the school may invite the community during their SLT Day to
strengthen their relationship; the school may add activities like culture-related seminars
during SLT Day for the whole studentry.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
The realization of the importance of Indigenous Knowledge Skills and Practices
(IKSPs) in sustainable development, cultural integrity and continuity of essential values is
inspiring indigenous people to revitalize their culture so they can pass this to younger
generations. Efforts using different strategies have been exerted by government and
nongovernment institutions, and community organizations to accomplish this undertaking.
Documentation of IKSPs through the use of different media is among the leading
strategies employed. From these documentations, a variety of printed and/or audio-visual
materials have already been produced.
Another popular strategy is the establishment of schools of living traditions. It is an
avenue where one can apply and practice the knowledge and skills he learns. This was the
strategy adopted by the Bontoc-Lagawe Vicariate when it turned its mission schools into
Schools of Living Tradition (SLT), where culture is taught, learned and perpetuated.
Among these mission schools is the Bauko Catholic School which has established
its own SLT in 2002. The SLT program of these mission schools are different from the
SLTs being funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), many
of which stopped operating when financial assistance ended.
Considering that the SLT of the Bauko Catholic School is still going strong after
12 years of operation, this means that it has already established procedures and strategies
that contribute to its sustainability. This study looked into how the SLT of the school is
being operated and managed.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Since the importance of indigenous knowledge have been recognized
internationally, studies on the efforts and strategies to protect and conserve the indigenous
culture are vital for easier retrieval of information and perpetuation of best Practices in
indigenous education.
Statement of the Problem
Aside from being mentioned in annual reports of the Bon-Lag Vicariate and the
BCS, there are no existing documents that fully describe the BCS-SLT. To be able to draw
the profile of BCS-SLT and how it fares as a medium in transmitting IKSPs, the following
questions were asked:
1) Who are the people involved in BCS-SLT?
2) How was the SLT established?
3) What is the framework being followed by BCS in its SLT?
4) What are the IKSPs being taught?
5) What are the strategies used by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs?
6) What are the challenges encountered in by BCS in its SLT program?
Objectives of the Study
The study described the dynamics of BCS-SLT in transmitting IKSPs to the
students. The specific objectives were to:
1. characterize the people involved in the SLT program of BCS;
2. describe how the SLT was established;
3. draw the framework being followed by BCS in its SLT program;
4. determine the IKSPs being taught in BCS;
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
5. identify the strategies used by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs; and,
6. determine the challenges encountered by BCS in its SLT program.
Importance of the Study
The results of the study may provide insights to other institutions, communication
practitioners, teachers and researchers in the ongoing efforts on protecting and conserving
indigenous culture.
It may also encourage other communities, other schools or institutions to establish
their own IKSPs learning centers. It may help them develop their own methods in IKSP
education.
Results may help the school itself and other institutions to improve their SLT program.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study documented the dynamics of BCS-SLT in the transmission of IKSPs. It
did not include documentation and compilation of the different IKSPs being taught in the
school. Further, it did not include the impact of the SLT program to the community. The
researcher gathered information from the school administrators, teachers and students who
are directly involved in the BCS-SLT. Archives of the school were also browsed for
additional information.
This study was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge is the information base for a society, which facilitates
communication and decision-making. Indigenous information systems are dynamic, and
are continually influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact
with external systems. (Flavier et al., 1995 as cited by the Worldbank, 2010).
Indigenous knowledge is part of the lives of the rural poor; their livelihood depends
almost entirely on specific skills and knowledge essential for their survival. For
development process, indigenous knowledge is of particular relevance in agriculture,
animal husbandry and ethnic veterinary medicine, use and management of natural
resources, primary health care (PHC), preventive medicine and psychosocial care, saving
and lending, community development, poverty alleviation (Worldbank, 2010).
Meanwhile, as written by Mundy and Compton (1991), indigenous technical
knowledge is a new focus in development circles. Growing numbers of scientists and
organizations are recognizing that it offers cheap, locally adapted solutions to development
problems, or that it can be melded with scientific knowledge to boost productivity and
living standards.
In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), indigenous knowledge is
recognized as mostly tied to the tongue for oral transmission and such has yet to be
documented, published and adopted (Aplaten, 2009).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Culture Transmission
Claver (2002) posted a question on why is there a great interest in IPs (Indigenous
People) the world over today.
Saway (2006) as quoted by Malanes (2006) reasoned, We cannot afford to let the
culture, which our forebears have painstakingly reserved for us, die in our hands without
passing them to the next generation. If we do, we would commit the greatest crime by
killing the heritage of our past, which is the foundation of the future of our children‟s
generation.
Other factors and we can only mention them in passing are the ecological disasters
that have been brought about by „progress,‟ all of a sudden there is greater awareness and
appreciation of the way IPs as a whole have husbanded their environments and lived lives
which protect rather than destroy the ecological well-being of their surroundings (Claver,
2002).
As described by Bisin and Verdier (2005), cultural transmission is modeled as the
result of purposeful socialization decisions inside the family as well as of indirect
socialization processes like social imitation and learning. Therefore, the persistence of
cultural traits or, on the contrary, the cultural assimilation of minorities, is determined by
the costs and benefits of various family decisions pertaining to the socialization of children
in specific socio-economic environments which in turn determine the children‟s
opportunities for social imitation and learning.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
As noted by Awas (2009), it is intergenerational ties that make this possible through
time. It is the bonding between generations that assures that culture and heritage continue
to be transmitted, received and nurtured. This necessitates a conscious passing on of
heritage and culture from one generation to another.
Indigenous Education
As stated by Thaman (n. d.), if education is about worthwhile learning then it is
about culture, since the content of education has value underpinning it, associated with a
particular culture. He defined culture as a way of life which includes particular ways of
knowing, knowledge and wisdom, as well as ways of communicating these. Fien, (2010)
also wrote that IPs have a broad knowledge of how to live sustainably. However, formal
education systems have disrupted the practical everyday life aspects of indigenous
knowledge and ways of learning, replacing them with abstract knowledge and academic
ways of learning.
As defined by Thaman (n. d.), formal education is an organized and
institutionalized way of learning while indigenous education is mainly informal and
nonformal.
Fien (2010) further stated that indigenous knowledge has been passed down from
generation to generation through traditional education, with adults teaching practical
knowledge of culture, the environment and survival through demonstrations and through a
wide range of ceremonies, stories, songs, village meetings and taboos. However, very few
attempts were made to integrate indigenous knowledge into formal education despite its
potential value in solving contemporary problems.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Thaman (n. d.) wrote that since 1992, efforts have been made in many Pacific Island
Nations (PINS) to incorporate elements of local cultures in the school curriculum, as well
as the curriculum of higher education institutions particularly those responsible for teacher
education. This initiative came mainly from indigenous teacher educators, who realized the
need to incorporate more culturally meaningful content in the curriculum of teacher
education. UNESCO has actively encouraged and supported this undertaking.
Also, in 1997 the UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education and Culture was
established at the Regional University of the South Pacific (USP), and a major teacher
education curriculum research project was launched (Thaman, n. d.).
In the Philippines, Abejuela (2007) narrated in his book titled Indigenous
Knowledge Systems and Higher Education in the Philippines that in October 1997;
President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act 8371- the Indigenous Peoples‟
Rights Act (IPRA).
Abejuela (2007) wrote that this legislation lays down the legal framework for
addressing IPs poverty. It also seeks to alleviate the plight of the country‟s poorest of the
poor by correcting, through legislation, the historical errors that led to the systematic
dispossession and discrimination against the indigenous peoples.
The IPRA law enforces the 1987 Constitution‟s mandate that the State should craft
a policy to recognize and promote the rights of indigenous peoples within the framework
of national unity and development and to protect the rights of indigenous cultural
communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-
being (Asian Development Bank, 2002 as cited by Abejuela, 2007).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
The IPRA law also serves as the basis for the establishment of indigenous schools.
However, even with this legislation on indigenous peoples and indigenous rights, there
remain very few indigenous schools in the country. In the Philippines, ever since the
Americans established the public school system; no efforts were done on establishing
schools that utilized indigenous knowledge. In fact, it was required in all schools that the
American system be used. All Filipinos were required to learn only in English. It was only
in the past 20 years that Filipino has been reintroduced as a language of instruction in
schools, though English still was preferred (Abejuela, 2007).
In 2007, Abejuela stated that the idea for the development of a culturally
responsive education was first expressed in 1999 by several indigenous leaders present in
one of Asian Council for People‟s Culture (ACPC) trainings. Abejuela wrote, ACPC
decided to facilitate the building of a national network of indigenous community educators
who would develop and promote a dynamic and culturally responsive curriculum for
indigenous communities.
Abejuela (2007) further stated that with the help of ACPC the Kalinga Declaration
which envisions indigenous education founded on the life ways, traditions, world view,
culture and spirituality of the native community was made.
The Kalinga Declaration is a pathway of education that recognizes wisdom
embedded in indigenous knowledge (ACPC, 2004 as cited by Abejuela, 2007).
Abejuela (2007) also wrote that ACPC was among the organizations in the country
that promoted indigenous learning. It was ACPC that came up with the Schools for
Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions (SIKAT) Program.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
SIKAT envisions a system at par with mainstream education, founded on the ways
of life, traditions and culture of IPs, as a stepping stone to promote sincere development
of the communities (Meneses, 2004 as cited by Abejuela 2007).
Since the Kalinga Declaration was put forth, ACPC facilitated teacher trainings,
curriculum development workshops, tribal leaders‟ forum and other activities to prepare
the communities and their indigenous teachers for the establishment of SIKT (Abejuela,
2007).
In the presentation of Dr. Conchita V. Umali (2004) of the Assumption College
Graduate School during the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP)
convention, she stated, The fluctuation in the content of our knowledge and in the
assessment of the relevance of each aspect, for the present day, signifies that the
curriculum cannot be static. Education as the transmission of cultural heritage must be
amended to incorporate new cultural developments that reflect the constant modification
of heritage into living tradition that is attuned to the needs and aspirations of the new
generation of students. School must certainly transmit cultural tradition that is drawn from
the past but must also encourage the need for creativity and to regard tradition not as heavy
hand that weighs upon them, but as their response to the past in the light of the needs of
the present.
In addition, Thaman (n. d.) stated that students‟ underachievement in schooling has
been attributed to cultural gaps between the expectations of the school curriculum and those
of the cultures in which students are socialized. In Oceania, this gap also exists for the
majority of teachers. This raises the question of whose and/or what knowledge is
considered worthwhile? Furthermore, the current euphoria for market driven economies
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
and educational development also makes issues such as cross cultural transfer, globalized
curricula and appropriate learning strategies worthy of urgent, critical consideration. The
urgency arises from the fact that globalization is blurring cultural diversity. Educational
services are increasingly becoming standardized and homogenized.
Meanwhile, for the National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera
Administrative Region (NEDA-CAR), some of their development plan for 2011-2016
related to IKSP conservation were to strengthen inter-sectoral/institutional partnership in
the documentation, promotion and utilization of IKSPs; to prepare database on existing
IKSPs by preparing annotated bibliography and compendium of existing researches and
documentations on the rich ethnic culture and traditions of the Cordilleras; and to
incorporate/mainstream IKSPs in the educational systems at all levels, health sector,
infrastructure sector and agricultural sector (NEDA, 2010).
School of Living Tradition
In the Philippines, following the UNESCO‟s call for the preservation of cultural
heritage, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) founded the Schools
of Living Traditions (SLTs) which aim is to preserve cultural heritage in a living form by
ensuring its transmission to the next generations (NCCA, n. d.).
The NCCA (n. d.) defines SLT as where a living master/culture bearer or culture
specialist imparts to a group of young people from the same ethno-linguistic community
the skills and techniques of doing a traditional art or craft. The mode of teaching is usually
non-formal, oral and with practical demonstrations. The site maybe the house of the living
master, a community social hall, or a center constructed for the purpose.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
In NCCA‟s guideline of establishing SLT, the master/specialist of a traditional craft
as well as the young people who are interested in learning the craft should be identified.
The NCCA will provide honorarium for the master and incentives for the students such as
food, transportation and materials needed for the training. The SLT may be held in a
place/venue most convenient to the students and masters. It may be community-based and
informal in nature. Participation of students is voluntary, although, they have to pass a rigid
screening to be done by the master and the project coordinator (NCCA, n. d.).
NCCA (n. d.) also emphasized that the major concern of the program is to teach
pure form of traditional arts. However, commercial production may be pursued by the
participants later.
NCCA (n. d.) highly value the ability of SLT to continue even without NCCA‟s
financial assistance. For NCCA, this is an indicator of success.
On the other hand, separately, private mission schools of the Vicariate of
BontocLagawe also made their efforts in establishing their own SLTs. Gao-ay (2008)
wrote, The Schools of Living Tradition (SLT) trademark remains in the identity of the
private schools in Mountain Province as the bearer of the living culture, integrating the
school‟s curriculum with the traditional and indigenous practices.
This kind of SLT was also in line with the UNESCO‟s call for the preservation of
cultural heritage. As described by Gao-ay (2008), SLT in the mission schools teaches skills
and techniques in doing a traditional art or craft. He further elaborated that initially, the
mode of SLT teaching was non-formal, oral, and with practical demonstrations. But the
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
SLT was reinvented and re-defined by the mission schools in the Bontoc-Lagawe Vicariate,
thus integrating IKSPs in the curriculum.
Gao-ay (2008) noted that to further develop SLT and study the role of culture in
the academe, teachers in Mt. Province have designed learning packages vis-à-vis the
standard learning objectives of the Department of Education.
Some of the studies made were: Customs and Traditions of Western Mountain
Province Necessary in the Peace-making Process by the teachers of San Alfonso High
School, Bauko Catholic School, and Holy Rosary High School; The Relevance of the
Og-Ogfu as Practiced in Bontoc ILi by the teachers of Saint Vincent‟s School;
and The Traditional Practice of the Bogwa by the teachers of Saint Joseph School of
Kiangan (Gao-ay 2008.)
Gao-ay wrote that these studies stirred new concepts in teaching strategies: Why
not make use of the „tapis‟ and other indigenous materials to study lesson in Mathematics
such as perimeter, area, or volume? Why prioritize the study of the history of the United
States when there are hundreds of unsung Igorot heroes in the land? Why not study Igorot
poetry as well, instead of just focusing on the English language?
Through their collaboration, the school realized that there are other ways in which
student can realize the concept and value of SLT. Aside from teaching Igorot dances, or
playing indigenous musical instruments and games such as „kadang-kadang,‟ „inagto,‟
inetaan,‟ „sanggol,‟ „bawwet,‟ or „ap-appayek,‟ students can also learn traditional
cooking and other traditional arts and crafts (Gao-ay, 2008).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Communication Strategies
Most indigenous knowledge is not written down. It is held in people's heads and
passed down from one generation to the next by word of mouth (Mundy and Compton,
1991).
Research has shown the importance of informal, interpersonal contacts in
persuading people to adopt, or reject, innovations. Such contacts are often made through
indigenous channels (Mundy and Compton, 1991).
Indigenous channels offer opportunities for participation by local people in
development efforts. They allow local people to communicate among themselves and with
development professionals and decision makers. Local people can retain control over local
media more easily than over technology-intensive media (Mundy and Compton, 1991).
Mundy and Compton (1991) enumerated six indigenous communications to
preserve and teach indigenous knowledge and skills namely: folk media, indigenous
organizations and social gatherings, deliberate instruction, records, unstructured channels,
direct observation.
Mundy and Compton (1991) described folk media as the indigenous equivalents of
mass media. They are used primarily for entertainment, but also to promote education,
values and cultural continuity. These include festivals, plays and puppet shows, dance,
song, storytelling, poetry, debates such as the Filipino „balagtasan,‟ parades and carnivals.
On the other hand, Ngalia people in Australia have adopted a wide variety of
technologies in their fight to preserve their traditional knowledge and culture. The
community recognized the value of using ICT to help preserve their culture. They began
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
with genealogical archiving as family records are important in Australian law when
indigenous people want to lay legal claim to their traditional lands (Singleton, 2008).
In CAR, Maguen (2005) stated in her study titled Integration of Indigenous Knowledge
and Practices in the curricular courses of Mountain Province State
Polythecnic College, that it is highly feasible to integrate the indigenous
knowledge and Practices in the social sciences. According to the study, this is expected
since this course is accommodating to the integration of indigenous knowledge and
practices due to the nature of the courses.
A NEDA-CAR study, as cited by Maguen, (2005) also recommended that school
curricula in CAR should include at least a subject focused on the indigenous culture, the
struggle for autonomy, the geography, and the resources of their homeland.
Challenges in Culture Transmission
Today, many indigenous knowledge systems are at risk of becoming extinct
because of rapidly changing natural environments and fast pacing economic, political, and
cultural changes on a global scale. Practices vanish, as they become inappropriate for new
challenges or because they adapt too slowly. However, many practices disappear only
because of the intrusion of foreign technologies or development concepts that promise
short-term gains or solutions to problems without being capable of sustaining them. The
tragedy of the impending disappearance of indigenous knowledge is most obvious to those
who have developed it and make a living through it. But the implication for others can be
detrimental as well, when skills, technologies, artifacts, problem solving strategies and
expertise are lost (World Bank, 2010).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Jackson (2000) opined that for too long, indigenous peoples have been forced to live in the
master colonizer‟s house, where they have been taught that the only way to relieve
oppression, solve disputes, and even to be real people is to use the master colonizer‟s tools.
Mundy and Compton (1991) have also expressed that with the advancing of
technologies, indigenous communication is being eroded, endangering the survival of
much valuable information. If indigenous communication is ignored, the result might be
inappropriate to development efforts. For instance, planners failed to recognize the role of
a network of water temples in controlling irrigation in Bali, Indonesia. This led them to
introduce cropping methods and construct canals and dams that were not appropriate to
local conditions of Bali, Indonesia.
Another challenge in the IPs quest for cultural identity and integrity is the
movement of globalization. As Claver (2002) has noted that the first thing most noticeable
about the culture of a people is its materiality: the way their houses are built, the dress they
wear, the food they eat, the tools they use, etc. However, due to globalization, Claver wrote,
Certainly this was true before we all started dressing alike, eating alike, looking alike in
the globalized leveling of all aspects of life that is characteristic of our age. The material
artifacts of culture are the most commonly displayed in museums and which can tell us a
lot of things about the way a people live or used to live.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of Study
The study was conducted in Bauko Catholic School (BCS), Poblacion,
Bauko,Mountain Province. BCS is one of the catholic mission schools in the vicariate of
Bontoc-Lagawe. Students of this school come from the different barangays of Upper and
Lower Bauko.
It is located in Barangay Poblacion, Bauko, 124 kilometers north of Baguio and
26 kilometers southwest of Bontoc, the capital town of Mountain Province. As shown in
Figure 1, the study area is surrounded by five other barangays in the municipality.
The municipality of Bauko is comprised of 22 barangays. As of 2007, it has a
population of 29, 978. The study was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013.
Respondents of the Study
The Key Informants (KI) of the study were: the head and rector of the school; the
principal; and one faculty member. To strengthen the information gathered from the key
informants, 50 students enrolled in the school served as respondents of the study. These
students actively participated in SLT-related activities of the school.
Data Collection
Guide questions were used in personal interviews with key informants. Interviews
were documented using camera and audio recorder.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 1. Map of Bauko , Mountain Province showing the locale of the study
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Information from the respondents was gathered with the use of questionnaires. The
respondents were gathered in the school library. The researcher provided the background
of the study. This included the definition and examples of indigenous knowledge. The
questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and they answered the questions
simultaneously. Each question was explained before the respondents began answering.
Ocular visit to the school library and museum were also done. Furthermore, the
researcher attended the Intramurals of the school to see the indigenous games and dances
being performed.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the characteristics and roles of people involved in the BCS-
SLT, the establishment of BCS-SLT, the framework being followed by BCS in its SLT
program, the IKSPs being taught in BCS, the strategies used by BCS in teachinglearning
IKSPs; and the challenges encountered by the SLT program.
Data Analysis
Data gathered from key informants were organized, summarized and presented in
narrative form.
The data gathered from the respondents were consolidated and tabulated for easier
presentation. Descriptive statistics using frequency counts and percentages were used to
analyze the data.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Characteristics of the People
Involved in the BCS-SLT Program
Ethnicity. Ethnicity refers to cultural group affiliation. The three key informants
and the 50 respondents of this study were all Kankana-ey belonging to the Applai tribe of
Mountain Province. Kankana-ey is a language spoken by people of Mountain Province and
in northern Benguet. The term is also used to refer to people who speak the language.
Players in BCS-SLT. The players who are involved in the program; their roles and functions
are listed in Table 1.
Clergy members in the vicariate of Bontoc Lagawe who serve as school directors
are the prime movers of the SLT program. Together with the school principals, they
organize and plan activities and projects for the program. They also serve as overseers and
coordinators of the SLT program. As overseers, they are responsible in ensuring
implementation of the program. As coordinators they serve as representatives or contact
persons during vicariate-wide activities. The incumbent over-all head of the SLT program
is Father Andrew Claver.
Meanwhile, faculty members function as teachers or facilitators in the SLT.
According to school principal Gideon B. Balcac and English, Filipino and MAPEH teacher
Mia B. Talco, teachers hired in the school are automatically involved in the SLT program.
Thus, they are mandated to integrate IKSPs in their subjects. They also do researches on
culture. This finding is corroborated by Gao-ay (2008) who cited a study titled Customs
and Traditions of Western Mountain Province Necessary in the Peace- Table 1. Key
players in the BCS-SLT program and their functions
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
PLAYERS
ROLE IN BCS-SLT
FUNCTIONS
School
Overseers and
Organize and plan activities/projects
Administrators
Coordinators
for the program
Ensure implementation of the
program
Serve as representative or contact
persons during vicariate-wide
activities
Teachers
Facilitators/Teachers and Integrate IKSPs in the subjects
Researchers
Conduct researches on IKSPs
Grant interviews and demonstrate
Community
Resource persons
IKSPs to students
Students
Learners/Recipients/
Enhance their knowledge and skills
Researchers
through the program
Document local literature
Apply their knowledge
making Process. The research was conducted by teachers of BCS together with teachers
from other mission schools.
The elders and other community folks likewise play an important part in the SLT.
As stated by Fr. Manuel Samonte, BCS head and rector, their main partner in this program
are the community elders.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Fr. Samonte emphasized that while there is no written agreement on the partnership,
the elders and other community folks freely support it by sharing their knowledge. They
grant interviews or they are obliged to carry out demonstrations on IKSPs when asked.
The students serve as learners/recipients and researchers of IKSPs for the program.
They learn and enhance their knowledge on IKSPs through the program at the same time
they contribute to the preservation of IKSPs through their written outputs on local
literatures and by applying what they learned.
Table 2 presents that among the 50 respondents, 42 (84%) said IKSPs were being
taught to them in school while eight (16%) said they did not learn IKSPs in BCS. These
eight (16%) respondents were in Grade seven and they claimed to have learned them during
occasions in school and in the community.
Principal Balcac explained that IKSPs are not being taught to Grade seven students.
He said that it is only during occasions in the school and other community programs that
they get to observe or participate in some cultural presentations and games.
Table 2. Teaching of IKSPs in the school
TEACHING OF
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
IKSPs
n=50
(%)
84
Yes
42
No
8
16
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
TOTAL
50
100
Development of BCS-SLT
SLT as a program of BCS is a result of series of undertakings described by Balcac,
Talco and Fr. Manuel Samonte.
Teacher training. In 2002, the vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe received two proposals for
faculty members of their mission schools. These proposals came from the University of the
Philippines Diliman Open University and the Assumption College Graduate School.
UP Diliman‟s offer was a distant study through video conferencing or e-learning.
In this arrangement, the faculty members enrolling in the study program need not leave
their schools. Since the teachers are based in UP Diliman, classes will be conducted
through video-conferencing and e-learning. Both modes are heavily dependent on good
internet connection which the mission schools did not have at that time.
On the other hand, the proposal of Assumption College was a study program for
Master of Arts in Education major in Basic Education. Professors of Assumption College
would conduct classes for three summers at Teng-ab, Bontoc Mountain Province. This
option was chosen. To complete the master‟s degree, students of the course were required
to finish researches which were focused on ISPs.
Initial steps. After some of the teachers have completed their master‟s degree under
this program, the mission schools in Mountain Province namely Bauko Catholic School,
Holy Rosary High School, Saint Vincent School and San Alfonso High School began
planning for the integration of IKSPs in their curriculum.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Balcac narrated that at first they did not fully understand where the program was
going. Back then, its purpose was not clear and it took them a series of discussions and
meetings before realizing that the program aims to preserve indigenous culture through
integration in the curriculum. So, they have added one feature in their course syllabus
which is the integration of IKSPs in the subjects. From then on, teachers are mandated to
include or relate IKSPs in their different lessons.
This led to the establishment of SLTs in the mission schools as initiated by the
principal and faculty members who completed their studies under the Assumption
College program. For BCS, the SLT was highly supported by school rector Fr.
Andrew Claver.
Continuing steps. In 2005, the school began to include cultural projects like SLT
day and collection of indigenous literature. Like the teachers at first, the students were also
reluctant to participate in these activities. Students were even shy to wear g-strings and
they had to be forced to do so. After some time, the students were getting used to it until
they began volunteering themselves to perform indigenous dances and games. Now, all
the faculty members are teaching or facilitating the learning of IKSPs among the students.
Even if some of the teachers were not able to take the master‟s degree under the
Assumption College program, they were mandated to integrate IKSPs in their subjects. The
teachers also attended various seminars related to the program organized by the Office of
the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, University of the Philippines Baguio and
Assumption College.
Students and community people are now very supportive of the program‟s
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
objectives. Students involve themselves enthusiastically in activities of the SLT.
SLT Convention. SLT Convention is the annual celebration of all members of the
SLT in Mountain Province. Students and teachers compete on cultural dances and
indigenous games, among others. The celebration also includes seminars and symposiums
on different topics related to the theme.
The convention is held in any agreed venue of the different member schools. The
first SLT Convention was hosted by Bauko Catholic School in 2006. As an indicator of
acceptance of the SLT program, all the respondents indicated that they enjoy learning
IKSPs.
Table 3 presents the reasons of the respondents for enjoying the learning of IKSPs.
Majority of the respondents (62%) reasoned that learning and performing IKSPs is their
interest and 40% wrote that their lessons on IKSPs enhance their skills and knowledge.
Five (10%) wrote that learning IKSPs makes them confident as Igorots, three (6%) wrote
that learning IKSPs is their part in cultural protection while two (4%) wrote that they gain
more friends while learning IKSPs.
Table 3. Reasons for enjoying learning IKSPs
REASONS
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
It is my interest
31
62
The lesson enhances my skill and knowledge
20
40
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Learning IKSPs makes me confident as an Igorot
5
10
I feel that this is my part in cultural protection
3
6
I gain more friends
2
4
*Multiple responses
Framework of the BCS-SLT
The framework of the BCS-SLT is not explicitly described in the documents of the
school. This section put together information gathered about the BCS-SLT to draw the
framework as perceived by the researcher (Figure 2).
The cultural setting. BCS-SLT is part of the SLT program of the Bontoc-Lagawe
Vicariate. In Mountain Province, there are five schools under this program, namely
Bauko Catholic School (Bauko), Holy Rosary High School (Kayan), Saint Vincent School
(Bontoc), San Alfonso High School (Sabangan) and Immaculate Heart High School
(Natonin). IHHS joined the program in 2012.
Mountain Province, like all other provinces in the Cordillera Administrative
Region, is inhabited by indigenous peoples who have maintained much of their traditional
culture. The rich cultural heritage of the place is being challenged by the forces of
modernization, hence the efforts towards cultural conservation.
The physical setting. With the integration of IKSPs in different subjects, BCSSLT
activities take place within the classrooms of the school. This setting extends outside to the
communities where the students come from when these students gather information from
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
elders. This is further extended to a wider setting when the students and teachers attend the
SLT convention and meet those from other mission schools under the same program.
Objectives. The BCS-SLT is guided by the general objectives for all mission
schools in the vicariate. The general objectives for all these schools are: to improve quality
of education in the parochial schools through teacher training and higher studies (MA
degree in Basic Ed.); to integrate IKSPs in the curriculum; to sustain the parochial
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
schools through scholarships for needy students and salary subsidy for school personnel.
Each member school formulated their own specific objectives to best suit their
circumstances. For BCS-SLT, the specific objectives are: to improve the quality of
education through faculty development and updated educational facilities: to equip
students through training with practical skills they can use in life in case they will not
pursue higher studies; to provide financial assistance to poor but deserving students; to
produce globally competitive graduates who are knowledgeable and proud of their cultural
identity; to conduct researches and studies on IKSPs that could be integrated in the
curriculum; to undertake income generating projects to meet the financial requirements of
SLT projects.
The ultimate goals of the SLT are cultural conservation and at the same time,
evangelization
The players, their roles and functions. The key players within this framework are
the clergy, the teachers, the community elders and the students, each group playing an
important role by disposing off their functions. Description of the players, their roles and
functions are found on the first part of this chapter.
BCS-SLT, therefore, operates within a physical and cultural setting guided by its
specific objectives complementing the general objectives set by the vicariate. The players
have their own roles and functions directed by the objectives towards the ultimate goal of
cultural conservation and evangelization.
Significance of the program. Balcac expressed that the establishment of the SLT
program started when the vicariate realized the positive aspects of IKSPs which is not
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
contradictory to modern science. He believes that side by side with modern knowledge,
indigenous ways still have a place in the world. He added that both indigenous and modern
ways have their own territories. However, he emphasized that as Christians, indigenous
healing rituals in particular shall be their last resort.
In corroboration, Bishop Francisco Claver has this to say, When we speak of the
encounter of the Gospel and the values of Indigenous Peoples, we will have to keep in mind
that it is people who encounter each other people who profess Christianity and people to
whom we now give the appellation Indigenous Peoples (IPs). People are the bearers of the
faith of the Gospel as people too are the bearers of the values of their particular cultures.
Meanwhile, Talco also added that SLT activities are very effective in transmitting
traditions and cultural practices to the young generations especially the practices they have
not experienced in actual. The school is a venue for passing and preserving culture. She
added that a person who is culturally rooted is globally competitive.
In 2002, Bishop Claver wrote that in the Church, the interest in IPs has always
been there in its concern for the conversion of non-Christians to the faith of Christ,
especially from the 16th century onwards.
For the respondents, as shown in Table 4, majority (66%) said that the program is
an avenue where they enhance their knowledge on indigenous culture and traditions; and
27 (54%) said that it is a venue where they practice, preserve and protect indigenous
culture.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Another significance of SLT as claimed by 18 (36%) respondents is that it helps
them build their confidence as Igorots; and four (8%) said that the IKSPs they learn in the
school instill values in them.
Table 4. Significance of SLT as determined by respondents
IMPORTANCE
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
An avenue where we enhance our knowledge on
33
66
indigenous culture
A venue where we practice, preserve or protect
27
54
culture
It helps us build our confidence as Igorots
18
36
The IKSPs instill values in us
4
8
*Multiple responses
Projects. To accomplish these objectives, BCS conceptualized various projects
such as educational projects, cultural projects, environmental projects and income
generating project.
Educational projects included teacher seminars and in-service trainings (high
school teachers-public and private); provision of financial assistance to students; granting
of scholarships and discounts; and updating of laboratory equipment, library facilities and
textbooks, and computers.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Cultural projects included the construction of a mini-museum for artifacts donated
by students, parents, alumni and community. The museum serves as a show window to the
different cultural generations. Researches on cultural practices such as „begnas,‟ „lepas,‟
„daw-es,‟ „awil‟, „og-ogbo,‟ etc.; compilations of indigenous songs, riddles and legends
of different places; making of genealogy and family trees; and organization of cultural
dance troupe and theater arts were also among the cultural projects.
For their environmental projects, they ventured into planting with mahogany and
gmelina trees donated by DENR, and practicing organic farming and planting herbal and
medicinal plants around the campus.
For their Income Generating Project (IGP), they invested in fruit wine processing
(Damascene Wine) being managed by assigned nuns in Bauko. Some students and parents
were also being hired to work here every Saturdays, summer vacations and sometimes
holidays.
Monitoring and evaluation. To assess the program, the school measures knowledge
gained through the academic performance of the students in the subjects where the IKSPs
are integrated.
They have also designated a SLT Day as part of their annual Intramurals. Aside
from modern sports, indigenous games are competed in during Intramurals. The
corresponding points in the games are included in the over-all ranking of each unit.
Moreover, it should be noted that the names of each unit are indigenous musical
instruments such as „abiw,‟ „gangsa,‟ „solibao‟ and „dongadong.‟
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Lastly, the SLT program is evaluated and monitored through its annual SLT
Convention. Together with other schools member of SLT program in Mountain Province,
different cultural dances, presentations and indigenous games are being competed on
during this celebration. According to Balcac, this is also a venue to exhibit crafts and
literary works on IKSPs by students and teachers.
Fr. Samonte said that the SLT Convention activities and theme vary each year. He
said that in 2012, the convention was focused on inculcating cultural values to the
participants. In 2013, their activities were geared towards environmental protection and
conservation, like the symposium on solid waste management, environmental care and
organic agriculture. Caring for the environment is part of the culture they want to instill to
the students. They believe that it is people‟s obligation to be stewards of the place they live
in.
IKSPs being Taught
This section presents the different IKSPs being taught in different subjects. These
were: indigenous literature; local governance; ethno-mathematics; indigenous games,
dances and songs; indigenous prayers, rituals, values and others (Table 5).
Indigenous literature. One type of IKSP being taught in the school is indigenous
literature. Balcac said that BCS-SLT started with collection of local literature. This was
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Table 5. IKSPs being taught in different subjects
IKSPs
SUBJECTS
Indigenous literature
English, Filipino
Local governance
Social Studies, TLE
Ethno-mathematics
Math
Indigenous games, dances and songs
Music, Arts, Physical Education, , TLE
Indigenous prayers
English, Filipino, Music, Science
Rituals and values
Social Studies, TLE, Health, Science,
Revitalized Home Room Guidance
Program (RHGP)
Others
Proper wearing of ethnic clothes
seconded by Talco who added that the program was introduced to the school by letting
students and teachers collect indigenous literature and materials. Figures 3 and 4 show
samples of stories collected by students from community elders.
Talco claimed that she integrates legends and short stories in the English subject.
She also lets her students write „talasalitaan‟ (glossary), translate words and research and
compile local superstitious beliefs in their Filipino subject.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
As stated by the respondents, they learned about different local legends,
superstitious beliefs, fables, parables, myth, songs and stories in their English and Filipino
subjects. They were also made to translate indigenous literature they gathered from their
own communities to Filipino or English.
Local governance. Early practices in local governance were integrated in Social
Studies. This included lessons on local government systems and their modifications
throughout the years. One specific lesson is the settlement of disputes which prescribes
amicable settlements, instead of court proceedings; the decision is entrusted to the elders.
Another topic is the history of Igorots in their Social Studies subject.
Ethno-mathematics. The indigenous ways in measuring length, width, weight, and,
terms in counting are also integrated in Math subjects. An example is in counting bundles
of palay, instead of saying „sangapulo,‟ they term ten bundles of rice „simbaa.‟
Another example is „sangadangan‟ which they use in measuring length.
Local calendar is sometimes included in Math subjects. This comprises how elders
call the days and months by basing it to the agricultural cycles. An example is that the
elders call the month of June as „esek‟ which literally means plant. This indicates that
the month of June is planting time.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
HIBIHIB
Wada kano dua ay sin
agi inda kanu nan anop ed kabilbiligan. Sa
daet anapen san otik kabunyan idi nalpas kanu ay pinalti da. Kanan iyon
- a
summed kas na ta umeyak man ala di isunod ta. Idi kinmaan han iyon
- a
umey inanap kabunyan san otik na hat inila na ay napapalti. Hat kanana
han iyogtan apay kin pinalti yo han otik ay nay hat alanana san amin ay
partin di otik haet na sibisiben et nabangun kahin san otik. Saet kanan nan
iya o di san nemnemna otik na upay adi tetewa kanana saet kanan ken
kabunyan sino pay san iba gak no umali san iyon ak et ged gedek han imam
tano umali san iyon am saka ton ibaga ken yana et dey umali san iyon ana
et kanana into pay san otik sina et apay ken maid mo sinibisiban kabunyan
et nan tauli san amin ay awak na saet kanan nan iya odi adi ta itdok initdo
na ken saken saet na itdo et sibisibina at nakaan sadat umey ed Bontc ya ed
Dallig et mangugubat da sada et ayagan san nagumpakan ya amin ay
nasugatan at sibisibinda et siya di san istoryan di SIBISIB
.
BY: LOLO KALEXTO of Cotcot
, the husband of Lola Tinang
AGE: 73
Figure 3. Sample of i ndigenous story gathered by students from community elders
(the
original version is typewriter written
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 4. Sample of indigenous story gathered by students from community elders
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 4. Continued… Indigenous games, dances and songs. Indigenous games were being
taught alongside with modern sports, dances in Physical Education, and indigenous songs
in Music.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
For the students, they identified „kadang-kadang‟, „torsi‟, „kinakaiwan,‟
„bawwet,‟ „binnayo-an,‟ „inabaan,‟ „tinna-epan,‟ „ap-apayek,‟ and „ag-agto‟ as
indigenous games they learned and played in school (Figure 5 and 6). Moreover, for the
indigenous dances, the respondents listed Natonin dance, Eagle dance, Sagada dance,
Ifugao dance, War dance, „pinnanyo-an,‟ „sakuting,‟ „tayao,‟ „takik,‟ „topay-ya,‟
„balangbang,‟ and „pattong‟ as indigenous dances they have learned.
The indigenous songs or music identified by the respondents were „uggayam,‟
„daing,‟ „bayya-o,‟ „kulaleng,‟ „liw-liwa,‟ „dad-at,‟ „bag-bagto,‟ and „day-eng.‟ The
respondents also indicated that playing of indigenous instruments such as „gangsa,‟
„solibao,‟ „abiw,‟ „dongadong,‟ „takik‟ are being taught to them.
Indigenous prayer. The respondents also recalled that „tukab,‟ „basabas,‟ and
„luwalo‟ are being taught. Included in these indigenous prayers are the materials in
indigenous healing like herbal medicines and their practical uses.
Indigenous medicines are being integrated in Health subject. However, Balcac said
that the school has not fully integrated indigenous medicine and healing practices in the
school because of lack of reference materials.
Rituals and values. Cultural rituals during birth, death and agricultural cycles, are
tackled in different subjects like TLE, Science and History subjects. The respondents
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 5. Indigenous game played during SLT Day
Figure 6. Indigenous game played during SLT Day
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
indicated that they learn about „piyak,‟ „daw-es,‟ „begnas,‟ „bayas,‟ „pakde,‟ „caňao,‟
and „tuloy.‟
It is also noted that values like „ob-obbo‟ are discussed in different subjects and in
the RHGP.
Others. The proper wearing of ethnic clothes is also taught.
It is however noted that some respondents wrote table setting as an IKSP they learned in
TLE. This is similar to another respondent who wrote that values of Filipinos are IKSPs
being taught in RHGP. This could mean that the respondents are confused on whether such
knowledge is indigenous or not.
In 2008, Lhes Mar Gao-ay, a former teacher in San Alfonso High School, published
in his blog that the studies conducted by teachers of the SLTs in Mountain Province stirred
new concepts in teaching. Ideas that arose are questions like: why not make use of the
„tapis‟ and other indigenous materials in studying lessons in mathematics such as
perimeter, area, or volume; why prioritize the study of the history of the United
States when there are hundreds of unsung Igorot heroes in the land; and why not
study
Igorot poetry as well instead of just focusing on the English language?
Gao-ay (2008) further stated, Through their collaboration, the schools realized that
there are other ways in which students can realize the concept and value of SLT. Aside
from teaching Igorot dances, or playing indigenous musical instruments and games such
as „kadang kadang,‟ „inagto,‟ „inetaan,‟ „sanggol,‟ „bawwet‟ or „ap-apayek,‟ students
can also learn traditional cooking, other traditional arts and crafts.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Teaching-Learning Strategies
The key informants said that they use different teaching strategies depending on the
lesson.
Practical performance or return demonstration. Balcac said that the best way to
teach the students on practical skills is to let them learn it by doing. Thus, they let students
perform cultural dances, indigenous songs and games.
As shown in Table 6, this was confirmed by the respondents when they (64%) said
they were taught through practical performance or return demonstration.
Discussion. Majority (52%) said they learned IKSPs through discussions in the
classroom.
Research activity. Another strategy is the research activity. The students are given
assignments to interview elders and collect local literature. After discussions on IKSPs,
Talco said that they let student’s interview elders in their own communities to
Table 6. Strategies in teaching-learning IKSPs
STRATEGIES
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
Practical performance/Return demonstration
32
64
Discussion
26
52
Research
22
44
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Film viewing
11
22
Group activities
9
18
*Multiple responses
further integrate the lessons. There were 22 (44%) respondents who said they learned
IKSPs through the research activities given by the teachers.
Film viewing and group activities. The respondents also identified film viewing
(22%) and group activities (18%) as strategies of the teachers in teaching IKSPs.
Challenges Encountered by BCS-SLT
From the very beginning, the BCS-SLT has encountered challenges that can now
be considered as part of its development process. These were on limited resources;
difficulty in finding common convenient time for trainings and supplementations;
ambiguity of purpose; reluctance of students to participate in SLT-related activities; and
difficulties in the teaching-learning process.
Limited resources. During the teacher-training program, one issue that arose is few
and inadequate sources of fund, in which the effectuality of the program relies upon.
Another concern that arose was the limited reference books and computer applications, and
other facilities that aid teaching and learning.
Difficulty in finding common convenient time. Trainings and supplementations
required the presence of Assumption College professors and faculty members under the
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
training program. However, since faculty members and professors of Assumption College
have their own different responsibilities to their families and to their work, there was a
difficulty in finding common convenient time. This resulted to setting schedules with
which some faculty members cannot meet. Balcac was of the thinking that this was one of
the reasons why a number of enrolled faculty members did not pursue their studies.
Ambiguity of purpose. During the conceptualization of the integration of IKSPs in
the curriculum, for the faculty members, the purpose was not very clear. It took series of
meeting and discussions before they fully understood that the program aims to preserve
indigenous culture through integration in the curriculum.
Reluctance of students. Initially, during the implementation of the SLT program,
there was a problem getting the participation of students in SLT-related activities. Balcac
said that students were shy to wear ethnic clothes and perform cultural dances. To address
this problem, it took the teachers some time explaining the program to students. Slowly,
students became eager and enthusiastic in supporting its objectives.
Difficulties in teaching-learning process. As shown in Table 7, there were 13 (26%)
respondents who said they had difficulty learning IKSPs while 37 (74%) said they did not
have difficulty.
Table 8 presents the reasons of the 13 (26%) respondents who wrote that they had
difficulty learning IKSPs. Five (10%) reasoned that they had difficulty translating
Kankana-ey literature to Filipino or English, four (8%) said that IKSPs are new to them,
four (8%) said that performing dances and games needs more strength and speed, two (4%)
said they had difficulty finding key informants during research. Two (4%) did not give any
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
reason for having difficulty learning IKSPs while one (2%) said learning IKSPs is not his
interest.
Table 7. Difficulty in learning IKSPs
DIFFICULTY
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50 (%)
Yes
13
26
No
37
74
TOTAL
50
100
Table 8. Reasons
for havi
ng difficulty in learning IKSPs
REASONS FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
It is difficult to translate Kankana-ey indigenous
5
10
literature to Filipino and English
4
8
IKSPs are new to me
I need to exert more strength and speed in 4
8
performing dances and games
I do not have key informants during research
2
4
IKSPs are not my interest
1
2
*Multiple responses
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
For saying they did not have any difficulty in learning IKSPs, Table 9 presents their
reasons. As shown in the table, majority (52%) of the respondents said that they already
knew these when they were still young. This was followed by the 16 (32%)
Table 9. Reasons for not having difficulty in learning IKSPs
REASONS
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
I already knew this since I was young
26
52
I am interested in learning them
16
32
Teachers
help me
develop
7
14
my knowledge
I‟m a fast learner
1
2
Because there are elders whom I can ask
1
2
*Multiple responses
respondents who said they did not have difficulty because they were interested in learning
their own culture. Also, seven (14%) said that teachers help them develop or enhance their
knowledge on their own culture. It should also be noted that one (2%) said he is a fast
learner while another one (2%) said he did not have any difficulty because there are elders
whom he can ask about their assignments.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The study was conducted to document the dynamics of the Bauko Catholic School-
School of Living Tradition (BCS-SLT) in transmitting indigenous knowledge, skills and
practices to its students.
This study characterized the people involved in the program; described how the
SLT was established; drew the framework being followed in the implementation of the
BCS-SLT program; determined the IKSPs being taught in BCS; identified the strategies
used by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs; and determined the challenges encountered by
the SLT program.
The researcher interviewed three key informants and 50 student respondents to
gather information to answer the objectives of the study. The study was conducted from
December to January 2013.
BCS-SLT is composed of four key players with different functions. These are:
school directors and school principals, teachers, community elders, and students of the
school.
The general objectives set by the Bontoc-Lagawe vicariate for the SLT program
were: to improve quality of education in the parochial schools through teacher training and
higher studies (MA degree in Basic Ed.); to integrate IKSPs in the curriculum; and to
sustain the parochial schools through scholarships for needy students and salary subsidy
for school personnel. For BCS, the specific objectives for the program were: to improve
the quality of education through faculty development and updated educational facilities; to
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
equip students through training with practical skills they can use in life in case they will
not pursue higher studies; to provide financial assistance to poor but deserving students; to
produce globally competitive graduates who are knowledgeable and proud of their cultural
identity; to conduct researches and studies on IKSPs that could be integrated into the
curriculum; and to undertake income generating projects to meet the financial requirements
of SLT projects.
To attain these objectives, the BCS-SLT has established several projects such as
educational, cultural, environmental and income generating projects.
Monitoring and evaluation of the BCS-SLT program is done through monitoring
the academic performance of the students; by organizing the annual SLT day and by
participating in the annual SLT convention of all SLT members in Mountain Province.
The IKSPs taught to students were on indigenous literature;, local governance;
ethno-mathematics; indigenous games, songs and dances; indigenous prayers; rituals and
values; and others.
These were integrated in the appropriate subjects and were taught through practical
performance or return demonstration, discussion, research, film viewing, and group
activities.
For the school personnel, the challenges they encountered were on limited
resources; difficulty in finding common convenient time for trainings and
supplementations; ambiguity of purpose; and reluctance of students to participate in
SLTrelated activities. For the students, they had difficulties in the teaching-learning
process such as difficulty in translating Kankana-ey indigenous literature to Filipino and
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
English, unfamiliarity with IKSPs, exertion of more strength and speed in dances and
games performances, lack of resource persons during research activities and, IKSP lessons
does not interest them.
Conclusions
Based on the finding of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
1. The framework of BCS-SLT is different from that of the SLT program
of
NCCA;
2. The players in the BCS-SLT are interdependent in their roles and
functions;
3. The BCS went through different stages before it established the SLT
program;
4. IKSPs are integrated in the curriculum of BCS; and,
5. BCS-SLT is effective in transmitting IKSPs.
Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following recommendations were forwarded:
1. For further improvement, evaluation on the program must be conducted
by the school;
2. Written outputs of the researches of the students and teachers must be
compiled and package into an Information Education Campaign (IEC)
material;
3. The school may invite the community during their SLT Day to
strengthen their relationship; and,
4. The school may add activities like culture-related seminars during SLT
Day for the whole studentry.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
LITERATURE CITED
ABEJUELA. R. III. 2007. Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Higher Education in the
Philippines. Retrieved on January 26, 2013 from
http://www.krepublishers.com/06-Special%20Volume-Journal/S-T%20&%20T
00-Special%20Volumes/T%20&%20T-SV-01-Africa-Web/T%20&%20T-SV-01
19-205-07-Abejuela-R/T%20&%20T-SI-19-205-07-Abejuela-R-Tt.pdf.
APLATEN, M. C. 2009. Nan nataguan tako: A book on Cordillera History, Attires, Music,
Dances and Festivals. University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City. P. 1.
AWAS, F. Y. 2009. Staged Bendian as a medium of Community Dialogue and Action for
Development and Cultural Integrity in Contemporary Kabayan Benguet, Philippines. MS
Thesis. BSU, La Trinidad, Benguet. P. 23.
BISIN, A. and T. VERDIER. 2005. Cultural Transmission. Retrieved on September 3,
2012 from http://www.nyu.edu/econ/user/bisina/Palgrave_culturaltransmission2.
CLAVER, F. 2002.The Encounter between the Gospel and the Values of Indigenous
Peoples in Asia: Challenges of the Future. Retrieved on July 31, 2012 from
http://eapi.admu.edu.ph/content/encounter-between-gospel-and-values
indigenous
peoples-asia-challenges-future-350-366.
FIEN, J. 2010. Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainability. Retrieved on January 25, 2013
from http://www.unesco.org/education/tlsf/mods/theme_c/mod11.html.
GAO-AY, L. P. 2008. SLT: Bridging School Curriculum and Culture. Retrieved on
August 2, 2012 from http://www.svsbontoc-alumni.org/contact.
JACKSON, M. 2000. International Conference on Conflict Resolution, Peace Building,
Sustainable Development and Indigenous Peoples. Tebtebba Foundation Inc. Roman
Ayson Road, Baguio City. Pp. 12-15.
MAGUEN, R. 2005. Integration of Indigenous Knowledge and Practices in the Curricular
courses of Mountain Province State Polythecnic College. Dissertation, BSU, La Trinidad,
Benguet. P. 48.
MALANES, M. 2006. Indigenous Perspectives: Working on Biodiversity and Traditional
Knowledge Protection. Tebtebba Foundation Foundation Inc. Roman Ayson Road,
Baguio City. Pp. 17-18.
MUNDY, P. and J. COMPTON 1991. Indigenous Communication and Indigenous
Knowledge.
Retrieved
on
August
3,
2012
from
http://mamud.com/Docs/ic_and_ik_dcr.pdf.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
NCCA. n. d. Schools of Living Traditions. Retrieved on September 3, 2012 from
www.ncca.gov.ph.
NEDA. 2010. Regional Development Plan 2011-2016 , Cordillera Administrative
Region. Retrieved on January 25, 2013 from http://www.neda.gov.ph/RDP/2011
2016/CAR_RDP_2011-2016.pdf.
SINGLETON, G. 2008. Saving Traditions. Retrieved on August 31, 2012 from
http://ictupdate.cta.int/en/ content/view/full/3910.
THAMAN, K. n. d. Interfacing Global and Indigenous Knowledge for Improved
Learning.
Retrieved
on
January
25,
2013 from
http://www2.unescobkk.org/elib/publications/aceidconf6/themetwo.pdf.
UMALI, C. 2004. Birth of Schools of Living Tradition in the Cordilleras. Waterfront
Hotel, Lahug, Cebu City. (presentation).
WORLD BANK. 2010. What is indigenous knowledge. Retrieved on July 31, 2012 from
http://www.worldbank.org/afr/ik/basic.html.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013. Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in
Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic
School). Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet.
Adviser: Maria Luz D. Fang-asan, PhD
ABSTRACT
The study was conducted to document the dynamics of the Bauko Catholic School-
School of Living Tradition (BCS-SLT) in transmitting indigenous knowledge,
skills and practices to its students.
This study characterized the people involved in the program; described how the
SLT was established; drew the framework being followed in the implementation of
the BCS-SLT program; determined the IKSPs being taught; identified the strategies used
by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs; and determined the challenges encountered by the
SLT program.
The researcher interviewed three key informants and 50 student respondents to
answer the objectives of the study. BCS-SLT was composed of four key players with
different functions. These were: school directors and school principals, teachers,
community elders, and students of the school.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
The BCS-SLT started with a teacher-training program, IKSPs integration in the
curriculum, establishment of SLT Day and SLT convention.
The general objectives set by the Bontoc-Lagawe vicariate for the SLT program
were: to improve quality of education through teacher training and higher studies; to
integrate IKSPs in the curriculum; and to sustain the parochial schools through scholarships
and salary subsidy. For BCS, the specific objectives for the program were: to improve the
quality of education through faculty development and updated educational facilities; to
equip students through training with practical skills; to provide financial assistance to poor
but deserving students; to produce globally competitive graduates who are knowledgeable
and proud of their cultural identity; to conduct researches and studies on IKSPs that could
be integrated into the curriculum; and to undertake income generating projects to meet the
financial requirements of SLT projects.
To attain these objectives, the BCS-SLT had established several projects such as
educational, cultural, environmental and income generating projects.
Monitoring and evaluation of the BCS-SLT program was done through monitoring
the academic performance of the students; by organizing the annual SLT day and by
participating in the annual SLT convention of all SLT members in Mountain Province.
The IKSPs taught to students were on indigenous literature, local governance,
ethno-mathematics, and, indigenous games, songs and dances, indigenous prayers, rituals
and values, and others.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
These were integrated in the appropriate subjects and were taught through practical
performance or return demonstration, discussion, research, film viewing, and group
activities.
The challenges encountered by the BCS-SLT were on limited resources; difficulty
in finding common convenient for trainings and supplementations; ambiguity of purpose;
reluctance of students to participate in SLT-related activities; and difficulties in
teachinglearning process.
The study then concluded that BCS-SLT framework is different from the SLT of
NCCA; the players in the BCS-SLT are interdependent in their roles and functions; the
BCS-SLT went through different stages before it was established; IKSPs are integrated in
the curriculum of BCS; BCS-SLT is effective in transmitting IKSPs.
With these conclusions, the study recommends that to further improve the BCSSLT
program, evaluation must be conducted by the school; written outputs of the researches of
the students and teachers must be compiled and package into an Information Education
Campaign (IEC) material; the school may invite the community during their SLT Day to
strengthen their relationship; the school may add activities like culture-related seminars
during SLT Day for the whole studentry.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
INTRODUCTION
Rationale
The realization of the importance of Indigenous Knowledge Skills and Practices
(IKSPs) in sustainable development, cultural integrity and continuity of essential values is
inspiring indigenous people to revitalize their culture so they can pass this to younger
generations. Efforts using different strategies have been exerted by government and
nongovernment institutions, and community organizations to accomplish this undertaking.
Documentation of IKSPs through the use of different media is among the leading
strategies employed. From these documentations, a variety of printed and/or audio-visual
materials have already been produced.
Another popular strategy is the establishment of schools of living traditions. It is an
avenue where one can apply and practice the knowledge and skills he learns. This was the
strategy adopted by the Bontoc-Lagawe Vicariate when it turned its mission schools into
Schools of Living Tradition (SLT), where culture is taught, learned and perpetuated.
Among these mission schools is the Bauko Catholic School which has established
its own SLT in 2002. The SLT program of these mission schools are different from the
SLTs being funded by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), many
of which stopped operating when financial assistance ended.
Considering that the SLT of the Bauko Catholic School is still going strong after
12 years of operation, this means that it has already established procedures and strategies
that contribute to its sustainability. This study looked into how the SLT of the school is
being operated and managed.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Since the importance of indigenous knowledge have been recognized
internationally, studies on the efforts and strategies to protect and conserve the indigenous
culture are vital for easier retrieval of information and perpetuation of best Practices in
indigenous education.
Statement of the Problem
Aside from being mentioned in annual reports of the Bon-Lag Vicariate and the
BCS, there are no existing documents that fully describe the BCS-SLT. To be able to draw
the profile of BCS-SLT and how it fares as a medium in transmitting IKSPs, the following
questions were asked:
1) Who are the people involved in BCS-SLT?
2) How was the SLT established?
3) What is the framework being followed by BCS in its SLT?
4) What are the IKSPs being taught?
5) What are the strategies used by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs?
6) What are the challenges encountered in by BCS in its SLT program?
Objectives of the Study
The study described the dynamics of BCS-SLT in transmitting IKSPs to the
students. The specific objectives were to:
1. characterize the people involved in the SLT program of BCS;
2. describe how the SLT was established;
3. draw the framework being followed by BCS in its SLT program;
4. determine the IKSPs being taught in BCS;
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
5. identify the strategies used by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs; and,
6. determine the challenges encountered by BCS in its SLT program.
Importance of the Study
The results of the study may provide insights to other institutions, communication
practitioners, teachers and researchers in the ongoing efforts on protecting and conserving
indigenous culture.
It may also encourage other communities, other schools or institutions to establish
their own IKSPs learning centers. It may help them develop their own methods in IKSP
education.
Results may help the school itself and other institutions to improve their SLT program.
Scope and Limitation of the Study
The study documented the dynamics of BCS-SLT in the transmission of IKSPs. It
did not include documentation and compilation of the different IKSPs being taught in the
school. Further, it did not include the impact of the SLT program to the community. The
researcher gathered information from the school administrators, teachers and students who
are directly involved in the BCS-SLT. Archives of the school were also browsed for
additional information.
This study was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous knowledge is the information base for a society, which facilitates
communication and decision-making. Indigenous information systems are dynamic, and
are continually influenced by internal creativity and experimentation as well as by contact
with external systems. (Flavier et al., 1995 as cited by the Worldbank, 2010).
Indigenous knowledge is part of the lives of the rural poor; their livelihood depends
almost entirely on specific skills and knowledge essential for their survival. For
development process, indigenous knowledge is of particular relevance in agriculture,
animal husbandry and ethnic veterinary medicine, use and management of natural
resources, primary health care (PHC), preventive medicine and psychosocial care, saving
and lending, community development, poverty alleviation (Worldbank, 2010).
Meanwhile, as written by Mundy and Compton (1991), indigenous technical
knowledge is a new focus in development circles. Growing numbers of scientists and
organizations are recognizing that it offers cheap, locally adapted solutions to development
problems, or that it can be melded with scientific knowledge to boost productivity and
living standards.
In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), indigenous knowledge is
recognized as mostly tied to the tongue for oral transmission and such has yet to be
documented, published and adopted (Aplaten, 2009).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Culture Transmission
Claver (2002) posted a question on why is there a great interest in IPs (Indigenous
People) the world over today.
Saway (2006) as quoted by Malanes (2006) reasoned, We cannot afford to let the
culture, which our forebears have painstakingly reserved for us, die in our hands without
passing them to the next generation. If we do, we would commit the greatest crime by
killing the heritage of our past, which is the foundation of the future of our children‟s
generation.
Other factors and we can only mention them in passing are the ecological disasters
that have been brought about by „progress,‟ all of a sudden there is greater awareness and
appreciation of the way IPs as a whole have husbanded their environments and lived lives
which protect rather than destroy the ecological well-being of their surroundings (Claver,
2002).
As described by Bisin and Verdier (2005), cultural transmission is modeled as the
result of purposeful socialization decisions inside the family as well as of indirect
socialization processes like social imitation and learning. Therefore, the persistence of
cultural traits or, on the contrary, the cultural assimilation of minorities, is determined by
the costs and benefits of various family decisions pertaining to the socialization of children
in specific socio-economic environments which in turn determine the children‟s
opportunities for social imitation and learning.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
As noted by Awas (2009), it is intergenerational ties that make this possible through
time. It is the bonding between generations that assures that culture and heritage continue
to be transmitted, received and nurtured. This necessitates a conscious passing on of
heritage and culture from one generation to another.
Indigenous Education
As stated by Thaman (n. d.), if education is about worthwhile learning then it is
about culture, since the content of education has value underpinning it, associated with a
particular culture. He defined culture as a way of life which includes particular ways of
knowing, knowledge and wisdom, as well as ways of communicating these. Fien, (2010)
also wrote that IPs have a broad knowledge of how to live sustainably. However, formal
education systems have disrupted the practical everyday life aspects of indigenous
knowledge and ways of learning, replacing them with abstract knowledge and academic
ways of learning.
As defined by Thaman (n. d.), formal education is an organized and
institutionalized way of learning while indigenous education is mainly informal and
nonformal.
Fien (2010) further stated that indigenous knowledge has been passed down from
generation to generation through traditional education, with adults teaching practical
knowledge of culture, the environment and survival through demonstrations and through a
wide range of ceremonies, stories, songs, village meetings and taboos. However, very few
attempts were made to integrate indigenous knowledge into formal education despite its
potential value in solving contemporary problems.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Thaman (n. d.) wrote that since 1992, efforts have been made in many Pacific Island
Nations (PINS) to incorporate elements of local cultures in the school curriculum, as well
as the curriculum of higher education institutions particularly those responsible for teacher
education. This initiative came mainly from indigenous teacher educators, who realized the
need to incorporate more culturally meaningful content in the curriculum of teacher
education. UNESCO has actively encouraged and supported this undertaking.
Also, in 1997 the UNESCO Chair in Teacher Education and Culture was
established at the Regional University of the South Pacific (USP), and a major teacher
education curriculum research project was launched (Thaman, n. d.).
In the Philippines, Abejuela (2007) narrated in his book titled Indigenous
Knowledge Systems and Higher Education in the Philippines that in October 1997;
President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act 8371- the Indigenous Peoples‟
Rights Act (IPRA).
Abejuela (2007) wrote that this legislation lays down the legal framework for
addressing IPs poverty. It also seeks to alleviate the plight of the country‟s poorest of the
poor by correcting, through legislation, the historical errors that led to the systematic
dispossession and discrimination against the indigenous peoples.
The IPRA law enforces the 1987 Constitution‟s mandate that the State should craft
a policy to recognize and promote the rights of indigenous peoples within the framework
of national unity and development and to protect the rights of indigenous cultural
communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social and cultural well-
being (Asian Development Bank, 2002 as cited by Abejuela, 2007).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
The IPRA law also serves as the basis for the establishment of indigenous schools.
However, even with this legislation on indigenous peoples and indigenous rights, there
remain very few indigenous schools in the country. In the Philippines, ever since the
Americans established the public school system; no efforts were done on establishing
schools that utilized indigenous knowledge. In fact, it was required in all schools that the
American system be used. All Filipinos were required to learn only in English. It was only
in the past 20 years that Filipino has been reintroduced as a language of instruction in
schools, though English still was preferred (Abejuela, 2007).
In 2007, Abejuela stated that the idea for the development of a culturally
responsive education was first expressed in 1999 by several indigenous leaders present in
one of Asian Council for People‟s Culture (ACPC) trainings. Abejuela wrote, ACPC
decided to facilitate the building of a national network of indigenous community educators
who would develop and promote a dynamic and culturally responsive curriculum for
indigenous communities.
Abejuela (2007) further stated that with the help of ACPC the Kalinga Declaration
which envisions indigenous education founded on the life ways, traditions, world view,
culture and spirituality of the native community was made.
The Kalinga Declaration is a pathway of education that recognizes wisdom
embedded in indigenous knowledge (ACPC, 2004 as cited by Abejuela, 2007).
Abejuela (2007) also wrote that ACPC was among the organizations in the country
that promoted indigenous learning. It was ACPC that came up with the Schools for
Indigenous Knowledge and Traditions (SIKAT) Program.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
SIKAT envisions a system at par with mainstream education, founded on the ways
of life, traditions and culture of IPs, as a stepping stone to promote sincere development
of the communities (Meneses, 2004 as cited by Abejuela 2007).
Since the Kalinga Declaration was put forth, ACPC facilitated teacher trainings,
curriculum development workshops, tribal leaders‟ forum and other activities to prepare
the communities and their indigenous teachers for the establishment of SIKT (Abejuela,
2007).
In the presentation of Dr. Conchita V. Umali (2004) of the Assumption College
Graduate School during the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP)
convention, she stated, The fluctuation in the content of our knowledge and in the
assessment of the relevance of each aspect, for the present day, signifies that the
curriculum cannot be static. Education as the transmission of cultural heritage must be
amended to incorporate new cultural developments that reflect the constant modification
of heritage into living tradition that is attuned to the needs and aspirations of the new
generation of students. School must certainly transmit cultural tradition that is drawn from
the past but must also encourage the need for creativity and to regard tradition not as heavy
hand that weighs upon them, but as their response to the past in the light of the needs of
the present.
In addition, Thaman (n. d.) stated that students‟ underachievement in schooling has
been attributed to cultural gaps between the expectations of the school curriculum and those
of the cultures in which students are socialized. In Oceania, this gap also exists for the
majority of teachers. This raises the question of whose and/or what knowledge is
considered worthwhile? Furthermore, the current euphoria for market driven economies
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
and educational development also makes issues such as cross cultural transfer, globalized
curricula and appropriate learning strategies worthy of urgent, critical consideration. The
urgency arises from the fact that globalization is blurring cultural diversity. Educational
services are increasingly becoming standardized and homogenized.
Meanwhile, for the National Economic Development Authority-Cordillera
Administrative Region (NEDA-CAR), some of their development plan for 2011-2016
related to IKSP conservation were to strengthen inter-sectoral/institutional partnership in
the documentation, promotion and utilization of IKSPs; to prepare database on existing
IKSPs by preparing annotated bibliography and compendium of existing researches and
documentations on the rich ethnic culture and traditions of the Cordilleras; and to
incorporate/mainstream IKSPs in the educational systems at all levels, health sector,
infrastructure sector and agricultural sector (NEDA, 2010).
School of Living Tradition
In the Philippines, following the UNESCO‟s call for the preservation of cultural
heritage, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) founded the Schools
of Living Traditions (SLTs) which aim is to preserve cultural heritage in a living form by
ensuring its transmission to the next generations (NCCA, n. d.).
The NCCA (n. d.) defines SLT as where a living master/culture bearer or culture
specialist imparts to a group of young people from the same ethno-linguistic community
the skills and techniques of doing a traditional art or craft. The mode of teaching is usually
non-formal, oral and with practical demonstrations. The site maybe the house of the living
master, a community social hall, or a center constructed for the purpose.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
In NCCA‟s guideline of establishing SLT, the master/specialist of a traditional craft
as well as the young people who are interested in learning the craft should be identified.
The NCCA will provide honorarium for the master and incentives for the students such as
food, transportation and materials needed for the training. The SLT may be held in a
place/venue most convenient to the students and masters. It may be community-based and
informal in nature. Participation of students is voluntary, although, they have to pass a rigid
screening to be done by the master and the project coordinator (NCCA, n. d.).
NCCA (n. d.) also emphasized that the major concern of the program is to teach
pure form of traditional arts. However, commercial production may be pursued by the
participants later.
NCCA (n. d.) highly value the ability of SLT to continue even without NCCA‟s
financial assistance. For NCCA, this is an indicator of success.
On the other hand, separately, private mission schools of the Vicariate of
BontocLagawe also made their efforts in establishing their own SLTs. Gao-ay (2008)
wrote, The Schools of Living Tradition (SLT) trademark remains in the identity of the
private schools in Mountain Province as the bearer of the living culture, integrating the
school‟s curriculum with the traditional and indigenous practices.
This kind of SLT was also in line with the UNESCO‟s call for the preservation of
cultural heritage. As described by Gao-ay (2008), SLT in the mission schools teaches skills
and techniques in doing a traditional art or craft. He further elaborated that initially, the
mode of SLT teaching was non-formal, oral, and with practical demonstrations. But the
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
SLT was reinvented and re-defined by the mission schools in the Bontoc-Lagawe Vicariate,
thus integrating IKSPs in the curriculum.
Gao-ay (2008) noted that to further develop SLT and study the role of culture in
the academe, teachers in Mt. Province have designed learning packages vis-à-vis the
standard learning objectives of the Department of Education.
Some of the studies made were: Customs and Traditions of Western Mountain
Province Necessary in the Peace-making Process by the teachers of San Alfonso High
School, Bauko Catholic School, and Holy Rosary High School; The Relevance of the
Og-Ogfu as Practiced in Bontoc ILi by the teachers of Saint Vincent‟s School;
and The Traditional Practice of the Bogwa by the teachers of Saint Joseph School of
Kiangan (Gao-ay 2008.)
Gao-ay wrote that these studies stirred new concepts in teaching strategies: Why
not make use of the „tapis‟ and other indigenous materials to study lesson in Mathematics
such as perimeter, area, or volume? Why prioritize the study of the history of the United
States when there are hundreds of unsung Igorot heroes in the land? Why not study Igorot
poetry as well, instead of just focusing on the English language?
Through their collaboration, the school realized that there are other ways in which
student can realize the concept and value of SLT. Aside from teaching Igorot dances, or
playing indigenous musical instruments and games such as „kadang-kadang,‟ „inagto,‟
inetaan,‟ „sanggol,‟ „bawwet,‟ or „ap-appayek,‟ students can also learn traditional
cooking and other traditional arts and crafts (Gao-ay, 2008).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Communication Strategies
Most indigenous knowledge is not written down. It is held in people's heads and
passed down from one generation to the next by word of mouth (Mundy and Compton,
1991).
Research has shown the importance of informal, interpersonal contacts in
persuading people to adopt, or reject, innovations. Such contacts are often made through
indigenous channels (Mundy and Compton, 1991).
Indigenous channels offer opportunities for participation by local people in
development efforts. They allow local people to communicate among themselves and with
development professionals and decision makers. Local people can retain control over local
media more easily than over technology-intensive media (Mundy and Compton, 1991).
Mundy and Compton (1991) enumerated six indigenous communications to
preserve and teach indigenous knowledge and skills namely: folk media, indigenous
organizations and social gatherings, deliberate instruction, records, unstructured channels,
direct observation.
Mundy and Compton (1991) described folk media as the indigenous equivalents of
mass media. They are used primarily for entertainment, but also to promote education,
values and cultural continuity. These include festivals, plays and puppet shows, dance,
song, storytelling, poetry, debates such as the Filipino „balagtasan,‟ parades and carnivals.
On the other hand, Ngalia people in Australia have adopted a wide variety of
technologies in their fight to preserve their traditional knowledge and culture. The
community recognized the value of using ICT to help preserve their culture. They began
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
with genealogical archiving as family records are important in Australian law when
indigenous people want to lay legal claim to their traditional lands (Singleton, 2008).
In CAR, Maguen (2005) stated in her study titled Integration of Indigenous Knowledge
and Practices in the curricular courses of Mountain Province State
Polythecnic College, that it is highly feasible to integrate the indigenous
knowledge and Practices in the social sciences. According to the study, this is expected
since this course is accommodating to the integration of indigenous knowledge and
practices due to the nature of the courses.
A NEDA-CAR study, as cited by Maguen, (2005) also recommended that school
curricula in CAR should include at least a subject focused on the indigenous culture, the
struggle for autonomy, the geography, and the resources of their homeland.
Challenges in Culture Transmission
Today, many indigenous knowledge systems are at risk of becoming extinct
because of rapidly changing natural environments and fast pacing economic, political, and
cultural changes on a global scale. Practices vanish, as they become inappropriate for new
challenges or because they adapt too slowly. However, many practices disappear only
because of the intrusion of foreign technologies or development concepts that promise
short-term gains or solutions to problems without being capable of sustaining them. The
tragedy of the impending disappearance of indigenous knowledge is most obvious to those
who have developed it and make a living through it. But the implication for others can be
detrimental as well, when skills, technologies, artifacts, problem solving strategies and
expertise are lost (World Bank, 2010).
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Jackson (2000) opined that for too long, indigenous peoples have been forced to live in the
master colonizer‟s house, where they have been taught that the only way to relieve
oppression, solve disputes, and even to be real people is to use the master colonizer‟s tools.
Mundy and Compton (1991) have also expressed that with the advancing of
technologies, indigenous communication is being eroded, endangering the survival of
much valuable information. If indigenous communication is ignored, the result might be
inappropriate to development efforts. For instance, planners failed to recognize the role of
a network of water temples in controlling irrigation in Bali, Indonesia. This led them to
introduce cropping methods and construct canals and dams that were not appropriate to
local conditions of Bali, Indonesia.
Another challenge in the IPs quest for cultural identity and integrity is the
movement of globalization. As Claver (2002) has noted that the first thing most noticeable
about the culture of a people is its materiality: the way their houses are built, the dress they
wear, the food they eat, the tools they use, etc. However, due to globalization, Claver wrote,
Certainly this was true before we all started dressing alike, eating alike, looking alike in
the globalized leveling of all aspects of life that is characteristic of our age. The material
artifacts of culture are the most commonly displayed in museums and which can tell us a
lot of things about the way a people live or used to live.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
METHODOLOGY
Locale and Time of Study
The study was conducted in Bauko Catholic School (BCS), Poblacion,
Bauko,Mountain Province. BCS is one of the catholic mission schools in the vicariate of
Bontoc-Lagawe. Students of this school come from the different barangays of Upper and
Lower Bauko.
It is located in Barangay Poblacion, Bauko, 124 kilometers north of Baguio and
26 kilometers southwest of Bontoc, the capital town of Mountain Province. As shown in
Figure 1, the study area is surrounded by five other barangays in the municipality.
The municipality of Bauko is comprised of 22 barangays. As of 2007, it has a
population of 29, 978. The study was conducted from December 2012 to January 2013.
Respondents of the Study
The Key Informants (KI) of the study were: the head and rector of the school; the
principal; and one faculty member. To strengthen the information gathered from the key
informants, 50 students enrolled in the school served as respondents of the study. These
students actively participated in SLT-related activities of the school.
Data Collection
Guide questions were used in personal interviews with key informants. Interviews
were documented using camera and audio recorder.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 1. Map of Bauko , Mountain Province showing the locale of the study
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Information from the respondents was gathered with the use of questionnaires. The
respondents were gathered in the school library. The researcher provided the background
of the study. This included the definition and examples of indigenous knowledge. The
questionnaires were distributed to the respondents and they answered the questions
simultaneously. Each question was explained before the respondents began answering.
Ocular visit to the school library and museum were also done. Furthermore, the
researcher attended the Intramurals of the school to see the indigenous games and dances
being performed.
Data Gathered
The data gathered were the characteristics and roles of people involved in the BCS-
SLT, the establishment of BCS-SLT, the framework being followed by BCS in its SLT
program, the IKSPs being taught in BCS, the strategies used by BCS in teachinglearning
IKSPs; and the challenges encountered by the SLT program.
Data Analysis
Data gathered from key informants were organized, summarized and presented in
narrative form.
The data gathered from the respondents were consolidated and tabulated for easier
presentation. Descriptive statistics using frequency counts and percentages were used to
analyze the data.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Characteristics of the People
Involved in the BCS-SLT Program
Ethnicity. Ethnicity refers to cultural group affiliation. The three key informants
and the 50 respondents of this study were all Kankana-ey belonging to the Applai tribe of
Mountain Province. Kankana-ey is a language spoken by people of Mountain Province and
in northern Benguet. The term is also used to refer to people who speak the language.
Players in BCS-SLT. The players who are involved in the program; their roles and functions
are listed in Table 1.
Clergy members in the vicariate of Bontoc Lagawe who serve as school directors
are the prime movers of the SLT program. Together with the school principals, they
organize and plan activities and projects for the program. They also serve as overseers and
coordinators of the SLT program. As overseers, they are responsible in ensuring
implementation of the program. As coordinators they serve as representatives or contact
persons during vicariate-wide activities. The incumbent over-all head of the SLT program
is Father Andrew Claver.
Meanwhile, faculty members function as teachers or facilitators in the SLT.
According to school principal Gideon B. Balcac and English, Filipino and MAPEH teacher
Mia B. Talco, teachers hired in the school are automatically involved in the SLT program.
Thus, they are mandated to integrate IKSPs in their subjects. They also do researches on
culture. This finding is corroborated by Gao-ay (2008) who cited a study titled Customs
and Traditions of Western Mountain Province Necessary in the Peace- Table 1. Key
players in the BCS-SLT program and their functions
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
PLAYERS
ROLE IN BCS-SLT
FUNCTIONS
School
Overseers and
Organize and plan activities/projects
Administrators
Coordinators
for the program
Ensure implementation of the
program
Serve as representative or contact
persons during vicariate-wide
activities
Teachers
Facilitators/Teachers and Integrate IKSPs in the subjects
Researchers
Conduct researches on IKSPs
Grant interviews and demonstrate
Community
Resource persons
IKSPs to students
Students
Learners/Recipients/
Enhance their knowledge and skills
Researchers
through the program
Document local literature
Apply their knowledge
making Process. The research was conducted by teachers of BCS together with teachers
from other mission schools.
The elders and other community folks likewise play an important part in the SLT.
As stated by Fr. Manuel Samonte, BCS head and rector, their main partner in this program
are the community elders.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Fr. Samonte emphasized that while there is no written agreement on the partnership,
the elders and other community folks freely support it by sharing their knowledge. They
grant interviews or they are obliged to carry out demonstrations on IKSPs when asked.
The students serve as learners/recipients and researchers of IKSPs for the program.
They learn and enhance their knowledge on IKSPs through the program at the same time
they contribute to the preservation of IKSPs through their written outputs on local
literatures and by applying what they learned.
Table 2 presents that among the 50 respondents, 42 (84%) said IKSPs were being
taught to them in school while eight (16%) said they did not learn IKSPs in BCS. These
eight (16%) respondents were in Grade seven and they claimed to have learned them during
occasions in school and in the community.
Principal Balcac explained that IKSPs are not being taught to Grade seven students.
He said that it is only during occasions in the school and other community programs that
they get to observe or participate in some cultural presentations and games.
Table 2. Teaching of IKSPs in the school
TEACHING OF
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
IKSPs
n=50
(%)
84
Yes
42
No
8
16
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
TOTAL
50
100
Development of BCS-SLT
SLT as a program of BCS is a result of series of undertakings described by Balcac,
Talco and Fr. Manuel Samonte.
Teacher training. In 2002, the vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe received two proposals for
faculty members of their mission schools. These proposals came from the University of the
Philippines Diliman Open University and the Assumption College Graduate School.
UP Diliman‟s offer was a distant study through video conferencing or e-learning.
In this arrangement, the faculty members enrolling in the study program need not leave
their schools. Since the teachers are based in UP Diliman, classes will be conducted
through video-conferencing and e-learning. Both modes are heavily dependent on good
internet connection which the mission schools did not have at that time.
On the other hand, the proposal of Assumption College was a study program for
Master of Arts in Education major in Basic Education. Professors of Assumption College
would conduct classes for three summers at Teng-ab, Bontoc Mountain Province. This
option was chosen. To complete the master‟s degree, students of the course were required
to finish researches which were focused on ISPs.
Initial steps. After some of the teachers have completed their master‟s degree under
this program, the mission schools in Mountain Province namely Bauko Catholic School,
Holy Rosary High School, Saint Vincent School and San Alfonso High School began
planning for the integration of IKSPs in their curriculum.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Balcac narrated that at first they did not fully understand where the program was
going. Back then, its purpose was not clear and it took them a series of discussions and
meetings before realizing that the program aims to preserve indigenous culture through
integration in the curriculum. So, they have added one feature in their course syllabus
which is the integration of IKSPs in the subjects. From then on, teachers are mandated to
include or relate IKSPs in their different lessons.
This led to the establishment of SLTs in the mission schools as initiated by the
principal and faculty members who completed their studies under the Assumption
College program. For BCS, the SLT was highly supported by school rector Fr.
Andrew Claver.
Continuing steps. In 2005, the school began to include cultural projects like SLT
day and collection of indigenous literature. Like the teachers at first, the students were also
reluctant to participate in these activities. Students were even shy to wear g-strings and
they had to be forced to do so. After some time, the students were getting used to it until
they began volunteering themselves to perform indigenous dances and games. Now, all
the faculty members are teaching or facilitating the learning of IKSPs among the students.
Even if some of the teachers were not able to take the master‟s degree under the
Assumption College program, they were mandated to integrate IKSPs in their subjects. The
teachers also attended various seminars related to the program organized by the Office of
the Presidential Adviser on Peace Process, University of the Philippines Baguio and
Assumption College.
Students and community people are now very supportive of the program‟s
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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objectives. Students involve themselves enthusiastically in activities of the SLT.
SLT Convention. SLT Convention is the annual celebration of all members of the
SLT in Mountain Province. Students and teachers compete on cultural dances and
indigenous games, among others. The celebration also includes seminars and symposiums
on different topics related to the theme.
The convention is held in any agreed venue of the different member schools. The
first SLT Convention was hosted by Bauko Catholic School in 2006. As an indicator of
acceptance of the SLT program, all the respondents indicated that they enjoy learning
IKSPs.
Table 3 presents the reasons of the respondents for enjoying the learning of IKSPs.
Majority of the respondents (62%) reasoned that learning and performing IKSPs is their
interest and 40% wrote that their lessons on IKSPs enhance their skills and knowledge.
Five (10%) wrote that learning IKSPs makes them confident as Igorots, three (6%) wrote
that learning IKSPs is their part in cultural protection while two (4%) wrote that they gain
more friends while learning IKSPs.
Table 3. Reasons for enjoying learning IKSPs
REASONS
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
It is my interest
31
62
The lesson enhances my skill and knowledge
20
40
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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Learning IKSPs makes me confident as an Igorot
5
10
I feel that this is my part in cultural protection
3
6
I gain more friends
2
4
*Multiple responses
Framework of the BCS-SLT
The framework of the BCS-SLT is not explicitly described in the documents of the
school. This section put together information gathered about the BCS-SLT to draw the
framework as perceived by the researcher (Figure 2).
The cultural setting. BCS-SLT is part of the SLT program of the Bontoc-Lagawe
Vicariate. In Mountain Province, there are five schools under this program, namely
Bauko Catholic School (Bauko), Holy Rosary High School (Kayan), Saint Vincent School
(Bontoc), San Alfonso High School (Sabangan) and Immaculate Heart High School
(Natonin). IHHS joined the program in 2012.
Mountain Province, like all other provinces in the Cordillera Administrative
Region, is inhabited by indigenous peoples who have maintained much of their traditional
culture. The rich cultural heritage of the place is being challenged by the forces of
modernization, hence the efforts towards cultural conservation.
The physical setting. With the integration of IKSPs in different subjects, BCSSLT
activities take place within the classrooms of the school. This setting extends outside to the
communities where the students come from when these students gather information from
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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elders. This is further extended to a wider setting when the students and teachers attend the
SLT convention and meet those from other mission schools under the same program.
Objectives. The BCS-SLT is guided by the general objectives for all mission
schools in the vicariate. The general objectives for all these schools are: to improve quality
of education in the parochial schools through teacher training and higher studies (MA
degree in Basic Ed.); to integrate IKSPs in the curriculum; to sustain the parochial
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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schools through scholarships for needy students and salary subsidy for school personnel.
Each member school formulated their own specific objectives to best suit their
circumstances. For BCS-SLT, the specific objectives are: to improve the quality of
education through faculty development and updated educational facilities: to equip
students through training with practical skills they can use in life in case they will not
pursue higher studies; to provide financial assistance to poor but deserving students; to
produce globally competitive graduates who are knowledgeable and proud of their cultural
identity; to conduct researches and studies on IKSPs that could be integrated in the
curriculum; to undertake income generating projects to meet the financial requirements of
SLT projects.
The ultimate goals of the SLT are cultural conservation and at the same time,
evangelization
The players, their roles and functions. The key players within this framework are
the clergy, the teachers, the community elders and the students, each group playing an
important role by disposing off their functions. Description of the players, their roles and
functions are found on the first part of this chapter.
BCS-SLT, therefore, operates within a physical and cultural setting guided by its
specific objectives complementing the general objectives set by the vicariate. The players
have their own roles and functions directed by the objectives towards the ultimate goal of
cultural conservation and evangelization.
Significance of the program. Balcac expressed that the establishment of the SLT
program started when the vicariate realized the positive aspects of IKSPs which is not
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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contradictory to modern science. He believes that side by side with modern knowledge,
indigenous ways still have a place in the world. He added that both indigenous and modern
ways have their own territories. However, he emphasized that as Christians, indigenous
healing rituals in particular shall be their last resort.
In corroboration, Bishop Francisco Claver has this to say, When we speak of the
encounter of the Gospel and the values of Indigenous Peoples, we will have to keep in mind
that it is people who encounter each other people who profess Christianity and people to
whom we now give the appellation Indigenous Peoples (IPs). People are the bearers of the
faith of the Gospel as people too are the bearers of the values of their particular cultures.
Meanwhile, Talco also added that SLT activities are very effective in transmitting
traditions and cultural practices to the young generations especially the practices they have
not experienced in actual. The school is a venue for passing and preserving culture. She
added that a person who is culturally rooted is globally competitive.
In 2002, Bishop Claver wrote that in the Church, the interest in IPs has always
been there in its concern for the conversion of non-Christians to the faith of Christ,
especially from the 16th century onwards.
For the respondents, as shown in Table 4, majority (66%) said that the program is
an avenue where they enhance their knowledge on indigenous culture and traditions; and
27 (54%) said that it is a venue where they practice, preserve and protect indigenous
culture.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Another significance of SLT as claimed by 18 (36%) respondents is that it helps
them build their confidence as Igorots; and four (8%) said that the IKSPs they learn in the
school instill values in them.
Table 4. Significance of SLT as determined by respondents
IMPORTANCE
FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
An avenue where we enhance our knowledge on
33
66
indigenous culture
A venue where we practice, preserve or protect
27
54
culture
It helps us build our confidence as Igorots
18
36
The IKSPs instill values in us
4
8
*Multiple responses
Projects. To accomplish these objectives, BCS conceptualized various projects
such as educational projects, cultural projects, environmental projects and income
generating project.
Educational projects included teacher seminars and in-service trainings (high
school teachers-public and private); provision of financial assistance to students; granting
of scholarships and discounts; and updating of laboratory equipment, library facilities and
textbooks, and computers.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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Cultural projects included the construction of a mini-museum for artifacts donated
by students, parents, alumni and community. The museum serves as a show window to the
different cultural generations. Researches on cultural practices such as „begnas,‟ „lepas,‟
„daw-es,‟ „awil‟, „og-ogbo,‟ etc.; compilations of indigenous songs, riddles and legends
of different places; making of genealogy and family trees; and organization of cultural
dance troupe and theater arts were also among the cultural projects.
For their environmental projects, they ventured into planting with mahogany and
gmelina trees donated by DENR, and practicing organic farming and planting herbal and
medicinal plants around the campus.
For their Income Generating Project (IGP), they invested in fruit wine processing
(Damascene Wine) being managed by assigned nuns in Bauko. Some students and parents
were also being hired to work here every Saturdays, summer vacations and sometimes
holidays.
Monitoring and evaluation. To assess the program, the school measures knowledge
gained through the academic performance of the students in the subjects where the IKSPs
are integrated.
They have also designated a SLT Day as part of their annual Intramurals. Aside
from modern sports, indigenous games are competed in during Intramurals. The
corresponding points in the games are included in the over-all ranking of each unit.
Moreover, it should be noted that the names of each unit are indigenous musical
instruments such as „abiw,‟ „gangsa,‟ „solibao‟ and „dongadong.‟
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Lastly, the SLT program is evaluated and monitored through its annual SLT
Convention. Together with other schools member of SLT program in Mountain Province,
different cultural dances, presentations and indigenous games are being competed on
during this celebration. According to Balcac, this is also a venue to exhibit crafts and
literary works on IKSPs by students and teachers.
Fr. Samonte said that the SLT Convention activities and theme vary each year. He
said that in 2012, the convention was focused on inculcating cultural values to the
participants. In 2013, their activities were geared towards environmental protection and
conservation, like the symposium on solid waste management, environmental care and
organic agriculture. Caring for the environment is part of the culture they want to instill to
the students. They believe that it is people‟s obligation to be stewards of the place they live
in.
IKSPs being Taught
This section presents the different IKSPs being taught in different subjects. These
were: indigenous literature; local governance; ethno-mathematics; indigenous games,
dances and songs; indigenous prayers, rituals, values and others (Table 5).
Indigenous literature. One type of IKSP being taught in the school is indigenous
literature. Balcac said that BCS-SLT started with collection of local literature. This was
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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Table 5. IKSPs being taught in different subjects
IKSPs
SUBJECTS
Indigenous literature
English, Filipino
Local governance
Social Studies, TLE
Ethno-mathematics
Math
Indigenous games, dances and songs
Music, Arts, Physical Education, , TLE
Indigenous prayers
English, Filipino, Music, Science
Rituals and values
Social Studies, TLE, Health, Science,
Revitalized Home Room Guidance
Program (RHGP)
Others
Proper wearing of ethnic clothes
seconded by Talco who added that the program was introduced to the school by letting
students and teachers collect indigenous literature and materials. Figures 3 and 4 show
samples of stories collected by students from community elders.
Talco claimed that she integrates legends and short stories in the English subject.
She also lets her students write „talasalitaan‟ (glossary), translate words and research and
compile local superstitious beliefs in their Filipino subject.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
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As stated by the respondents, they learned about different local legends,
superstitious beliefs, fables, parables, myth, songs and stories in their English and Filipino
subjects. They were also made to translate indigenous literature they gathered from their
own communities to Filipino or English.
Local governance. Early practices in local governance were integrated in Social
Studies. This included lessons on local government systems and their modifications
throughout the years. One specific lesson is the settlement of disputes which prescribes
amicable settlements, instead of court proceedings; the decision is entrusted to the elders.
Another topic is the history of Igorots in their Social Studies subject.
Ethno-mathematics. The indigenous ways in measuring length, width, weight, and,
terms in counting are also integrated in Math subjects. An example is in counting bundles
of palay, instead of saying „sangapulo,‟ they term ten bundles of rice „simbaa.‟
Another example is „sangadangan‟ which they use in measuring length.
Local calendar is sometimes included in Math subjects. This comprises how elders
call the days and months by basing it to the agricultural cycles. An example is that the
elders call the month of June as „esek‟ which literally means plant. This indicates that
the month of June is planting time.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
HIBIHIB
Wada kano dua ay sin
agi inda kanu nan anop ed kabilbiligan. Sa
daet anapen san otik kabunyan idi nalpas kanu ay pinalti da. Kanan iyon
- a
summed kas na ta umeyak man ala di isunod ta. Idi kinmaan han iyon
- a
umey inanap kabunyan san otik na hat inila na ay napapalti. Hat kanana
han iyogtan apay kin pinalti yo han otik ay nay hat alanana san amin ay
partin di otik haet na sibisiben et nabangun kahin san otik. Saet kanan nan
iya o di san nemnemna otik na upay adi tetewa kanana saet kanan ken
kabunyan sino pay san iba gak no umali san iyon ak et ged gedek han imam
tano umali san iyon am saka ton ibaga ken yana et dey umali san iyon ana
et kanana into pay san otik sina et apay ken maid mo sinibisiban kabunyan
et nan tauli san amin ay awak na saet kanan nan iya odi adi ta itdok initdo
na ken saken saet na itdo et sibisibina at nakaan sadat umey ed Bontc ya ed
Dallig et mangugubat da sada et ayagan san nagumpakan ya amin ay
nasugatan at sibisibinda et siya di san istoryan di SIBISIB
.
BY: LOLO KALEXTO of Cotcot
, the husband of Lola Tinang
AGE: 73
Figure 3. Sample of i ndigenous story gathered by students from community elders
(the
original version is typewriter written
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 4. Sample of indigenous story gathered by students from community elders
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 4. Continued… Indigenous games, dances and songs. Indigenous games were being
taught alongside with modern sports, dances in Physical Education, and indigenous songs
in Music.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
For the students, they identified „kadang-kadang‟, „torsi‟, „kinakaiwan,‟
„bawwet,‟ „binnayo-an,‟ „inabaan,‟ „tinna-epan,‟ „ap-apayek,‟ and „ag-agto‟ as
indigenous games they learned and played in school (Figure 5 and 6). Moreover, for the
indigenous dances, the respondents listed Natonin dance, Eagle dance, Sagada dance,
Ifugao dance, War dance, „pinnanyo-an,‟ „sakuting,‟ „tayao,‟ „takik,‟ „topay-ya,‟
„balangbang,‟ and „pattong‟ as indigenous dances they have learned.
The indigenous songs or music identified by the respondents were „uggayam,‟
„daing,‟ „bayya-o,‟ „kulaleng,‟ „liw-liwa,‟ „dad-at,‟ „bag-bagto,‟ and „day-eng.‟ The
respondents also indicated that playing of indigenous instruments such as „gangsa,‟
„solibao,‟ „abiw,‟ „dongadong,‟ „takik‟ are being taught to them.
Indigenous prayer. The respondents also recalled that „tukab,‟ „basabas,‟ and
„luwalo‟ are being taught. Included in these indigenous prayers are the materials in
indigenous healing like herbal medicines and their practical uses.
Indigenous medicines are being integrated in Health subject. However, Balcac said
that the school has not fully integrated indigenous medicine and healing practices in the
school because of lack of reference materials.
Rituals and values. Cultural rituals during birth, death and agricultural cycles, are
tackled in different subjects like TLE, Science and History subjects. The respondents
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Figure 5. Indigenous game played during SLT Day
Figure 6. Indigenous game played during SLT Day
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
indicated that they learn about „piyak,‟ „daw-es,‟ „begnas,‟ „bayas,‟ „pakde,‟ „caňao,‟
and „tuloy.‟
It is also noted that values like „ob-obbo‟ are discussed in different subjects and in
the RHGP.
Others. The proper wearing of ethnic clothes is also taught.
It is however noted that some respondents wrote table setting as an IKSP they learned in
TLE. This is similar to another respondent who wrote that values of Filipinos are IKSPs
being taught in RHGP. This could mean that the respondents are confused on whether such
knowledge is indigenous or not.
In 2008, Lhes Mar Gao-ay, a former teacher in San Alfonso High School, published
in his blog that the studies conducted by teachers of the SLTs in Mountain Province stirred
new concepts in teaching. Ideas that arose are questions like: why not make use of the
„tapis‟ and other indigenous materials in studying lessons in mathematics such as
perimeter, area, or volume; why prioritize the study of the history of the United
States when there are hundreds of unsung Igorot heroes in the land; and why not
study
Igorot poetry as well instead of just focusing on the English language?
Gao-ay (2008) further stated, Through their collaboration, the schools realized that
there are other ways in which students can realize the concept and value of SLT. Aside
from teaching Igorot dances, or playing indigenous musical instruments and games such
as „kadang kadang,‟ „inagto,‟ „inetaan,‟ „sanggol,‟ „bawwet‟ or „ap-apayek,‟ students
can also learn traditional cooking, other traditional arts and crafts.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Teaching-Learning Strategies
The key informants said that they use different teaching strategies depending on the
lesson.
Practical performance or return demonstration. Balcac said that the best way to
teach the students on practical skills is to let them learn it by doing. Thus, they let students
perform cultural dances, indigenous songs and games.
As shown in Table 6, this was confirmed by the respondents when they (64%) said
they were taught through practical performance or return demonstration.
Discussion. Majority (52%) said they learned IKSPs through discussions in the
classroom.
Research activity. Another strategy is the research activity. The students are given
assignments to interview elders and collect local literature. After discussions on IKSPs,
Talco said that they let student’s interview elders in their own communities to
Table 6. Strategies in teaching-learning IKSPs
STRATEGIES
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
Practical performance/Return demonstration
32
64
Discussion
26
52
Research
22
44
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
Film viewing
11
22
Group activities
9
18
*Multiple responses
further integrate the lessons. There were 22 (44%) respondents who said they learned
IKSPs through the research activities given by the teachers.
Film viewing and group activities. The respondents also identified film viewing
(22%) and group activities (18%) as strategies of the teachers in teaching IKSPs.
Challenges Encountered by BCS-SLT
From the very beginning, the BCS-SLT has encountered challenges that can now
be considered as part of its development process. These were on limited resources;
difficulty in finding common convenient time for trainings and supplementations;
ambiguity of purpose; reluctance of students to participate in SLT-related activities; and
difficulties in the teaching-learning process.
Limited resources. During the teacher-training program, one issue that arose is few
and inadequate sources of fund, in which the effectuality of the program relies upon.
Another concern that arose was the limited reference books and computer applications, and
other facilities that aid teaching and learning.
Difficulty in finding common convenient time. Trainings and supplementations
required the presence of Assumption College professors and faculty members under the
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
training program. However, since faculty members and professors of Assumption College
have their own different responsibilities to their families and to their work, there was a
difficulty in finding common convenient time. This resulted to setting schedules with
which some faculty members cannot meet. Balcac was of the thinking that this was one of
the reasons why a number of enrolled faculty members did not pursue their studies.
Ambiguity of purpose. During the conceptualization of the integration of IKSPs in
the curriculum, for the faculty members, the purpose was not very clear. It took series of
meeting and discussions before they fully understood that the program aims to preserve
indigenous culture through integration in the curriculum.
Reluctance of students. Initially, during the implementation of the SLT program,
there was a problem getting the participation of students in SLT-related activities. Balcac
said that students were shy to wear ethnic clothes and perform cultural dances. To address
this problem, it took the teachers some time explaining the program to students. Slowly,
students became eager and enthusiastic in supporting its objectives.
Difficulties in teaching-learning process. As shown in Table 7, there were 13 (26%)
respondents who said they had difficulty learning IKSPs while 37 (74%) said they did not
have difficulty.
Table 8 presents the reasons of the 13 (26%) respondents who wrote that they had
difficulty learning IKSPs. Five (10%) reasoned that they had difficulty translating
Kankana-ey literature to Filipino or English, four (8%) said that IKSPs are new to them,
four (8%) said that performing dances and games needs more strength and speed, two (4%)
said they had difficulty finding key informants during research. Two (4%) did not give any
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
reason for having difficulty learning IKSPs while one (2%) said learning IKSPs is not his
interest.
Table 7. Difficulty in learning IKSPs
DIFFICULTY
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50 (%)
Yes
13
26
No
37
74
TOTAL
50
100
Table 8. Reasons
for havi
ng difficulty in learning IKSPs
REASONS FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
It is difficult to translate Kankana-ey indigenous
5
10
literature to Filipino and English
4
8
IKSPs are new to me
I need to exert more strength and speed in 4
8
performing dances and games
I do not have key informants during research
2
4
IKSPs are not my interest
1
2
*Multiple responses
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
For saying they did not have any difficulty in learning IKSPs, Table 9 presents their
reasons. As shown in the table, majority (52%) of the respondents said that they already
knew these when they were still young. This was followed by the 16 (32%)
Table 9. Reasons for not having difficulty in learning IKSPs
REASONS
FREQUENCY
PERCENTAGE
n=50
(%)
I already knew this since I was young
26
52
I am interested in learning them
16
32
Teachers
help me
develop
7
14
my knowledge
I‟m a fast learner
1
2
Because there are elders whom I can ask
1
2
*Multiple responses
respondents who said they did not have difficulty because they were interested in learning
their own culture. Also, seven (14%) said that teachers help them develop or enhance their
knowledge on their own culture. It should also be noted that one (2%) said he is a fast
learner while another one (2%) said he did not have any difficulty because there are elders
whom he can ask about their assignments.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Summary
The study was conducted to document the dynamics of the Bauko Catholic School-
School of Living Tradition (BCS-SLT) in transmitting indigenous knowledge, skills and
practices to its students.
This study characterized the people involved in the program; described how the
SLT was established; drew the framework being followed in the implementation of the
BCS-SLT program; determined the IKSPs being taught in BCS; identified the strategies
used by BCS in teaching-learning IKSPs; and determined the challenges encountered by
the SLT program.
The researcher interviewed three key informants and 50 student respondents to
gather information to answer the objectives of the study. The study was conducted from
December to January 2013.
BCS-SLT is composed of four key players with different functions. These are:
school directors and school principals, teachers, community elders, and students of the
school.
The general objectives set by the Bontoc-Lagawe vicariate for the SLT program
were: to improve quality of education in the parochial schools through teacher training and
higher studies (MA degree in Basic Ed.); to integrate IKSPs in the curriculum; and to
sustain the parochial schools through scholarships for needy students and salary subsidy
for school personnel. For BCS, the specific objectives for the program were: to improve
the quality of education through faculty development and updated educational facilities; to
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
equip students through training with practical skills they can use in life in case they will
not pursue higher studies; to provide financial assistance to poor but deserving students; to
produce globally competitive graduates who are knowledgeable and proud of their cultural
identity; to conduct researches and studies on IKSPs that could be integrated into the
curriculum; and to undertake income generating projects to meet the financial requirements
of SLT projects.
To attain these objectives, the BCS-SLT has established several projects such as
educational, cultural, environmental and income generating projects.
Monitoring and evaluation of the BCS-SLT program is done through monitoring
the academic performance of the students; by organizing the annual SLT day and by
participating in the annual SLT convention of all SLT members in Mountain Province.
The IKSPs taught to students were on indigenous literature;, local governance;
ethno-mathematics; indigenous games, songs and dances; indigenous prayers; rituals and
values; and others.
These were integrated in the appropriate subjects and were taught through practical
performance or return demonstration, discussion, research, film viewing, and group
activities.
For the school personnel, the challenges they encountered were on limited
resources; difficulty in finding common convenient time for trainings and
supplementations; ambiguity of purpose; and reluctance of students to participate in
SLTrelated activities. For the students, they had difficulties in the teaching-learning
process such as difficulty in translating Kankana-ey indigenous literature to Filipino and
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
English, unfamiliarity with IKSPs, exertion of more strength and speed in dances and
games performances, lack of resource persons during research activities and, IKSP lessons
does not interest them.
Conclusions
Based on the finding of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
1. The framework of BCS-SLT is different from that of the SLT program
of
NCCA;
2. The players in the BCS-SLT are interdependent in their roles and
functions;
3. The BCS went through different stages before it established the SLT
program;
4. IKSPs are integrated in the curriculum of BCS; and,
5. BCS-SLT is effective in transmitting IKSPs.
Recommendations
Based on the conclusions, the following recommendations were forwarded:
1. For further improvement, evaluation on the program must be conducted
by the school;
2. Written outputs of the researches of the students and teachers must be
compiled and package into an Information Education Campaign (IEC)
material;
3. The school may invite the community during their SLT Day to
strengthen their relationship; and,
4. The school may add activities like culture-related seminars during SLT
Day for the whole studentry.
Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013
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Schools of Living Tradition as a Medium in Transmitting Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and
Practices (The Case of Bauko Catholic School).| KIASO, JASMIN P. APRIL 2013