September 15, 2016
DepEd Memorandum No. 148, s. 2016
Observance of the 2016 National Indigenous Peoples Month
1. Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 1906, s. 2009 entitled Declaring the Month of October of Every Year as National Indigenous Peoples Month, the Department of Education (DepEd) enjoins all its offices and schools to observe the said national commemoration through appropriate and meaningful activities.
2. As the primary government agency mandated to protect and promote the right of every Filipino learner to basic education, including the inculcation of values that promote recognition of the nation’s cultural diversity, the DepEd intends to substantially contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the said observance through our extensive network of schools, field offices, and various learning programs.
3. This is consistent with the aims of the K to 12 Basic Education Program and the National Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Policy Framework (DepEd Order (DO) No. 62, s. 2011), which stipulates that within the framework of maintaining inclusive and effective learning environments, the DepEd shall nurture, among all learners and DepEd teaching and non-teaching personnel, respect for human rights and cultural diversity and that DepEd shall promote greater awareness and appreciation of the Indigenous Peoples’ cultural heritage and history – an integral, yet often neglected, part of the Philippine nation’s cultural heritage and history (Section 15-g).
4. For this year’s observance of the National Indigenous Peoples (IP) Month, the DepEd shall be guided by the theme Matatag na Ugnayang DepEd at Katutubong Pamayanan: Saligan ng Makabuluhang Katutubong Edukasyon. The theme highlights the vital importance of building and strengthening the relationship between IP communities and DepEd schools, learning programs, and field offices, as a prerequisite to the sustainable implementation of the IPEd Program. Clear agreements and viable mechanisms for collaborative work by DepEd and IP communities on curriculum contextualization, school-based management, and other critical components of education program management – taking into consideration the specific context of each school community, ancestral domain, division, and region – are fundamental aspects of community engagement, as articulated in the IPEd Curriculum Framework (Section V.A. 1, DO 32, s. 2015).
5. In line with the abovementioned theme, the regional and schools division offices, and schools are enjoined to support the observance of the National IP Month by undertaking appropriate and relevant activities from October 1 to 31, 2016 through, but not limited to, the following:
a. Conduct of appropriate learning activities that promote the objectives and theme of the national observance (e.g., activities that promote awareness of and respect for indigenous cultural communities, particularly those within or proximal to the school vicinity);
b. Conduct of advocacy activities for teaching and non-teaching personnel, and other stakeholders;
c. Hanging of streamers/banners in strategic places in the vicinity of DepEd offices and schools (an electronic file of the standard layout shall be provided to regional offices by the DepEd – Indigenous Peoples Education Office (IPsEO); and
d. Featuring the event and other IPEd-related activities on the website and other communications media of the regional and schools division offices, and schools.
6. All activities to be undertaken should not disrupt classes nor compromise their supervision pursuant to DO 9, s. 2005 entitled Instituting Measures to Increase Engaged Time-on-Task and Ensuring Compliance Therewith.
7. For DepEd personnel, it is highly encouraged that the observance be maximized as an opportunity to deepen their knowledge and understanding of key DepEd policies on IPEd, such as the IPEd Curriculum Framework (DO 32, s. 2015), and the implementation of the IPEd Program.
8. It is reiterated that the planning and conduct of activities are to be guided by the Department’s Guidelines on the Conduct of Activities and Use of Materials Involving Aspects of Indigenous Peoples Culture (DO 51, s. 2014), which are meant to provide guidance on the ethical assessment of the conduct of learning activities and related engagements of schools, DepEd offices, and other education initiatives which involve various aspects of indigenous peoples culture. Likewise, field offices and schools are enjoined to consult and collaborate with indigenous community elders and other culture bearers as appropriate in the conduct of activities.
9. Regional and schools division offices, through the IPEd Focal Persons, shall ensure the proper coordination of activities and compliance with the guidance provided in this Memorandum. Expenses incurred relative to the conduct of activities for the said observance shall be charged to local funds, subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
10. Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.
LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES
Secretary
