Department of Education(DepEd)

Hi. I would like to request for the following data; a. Literacy rate,drop out rate and illiteracy rate of the indigenous peoples in Mindanao b. Number of private institutions serving IP learners in Mindanao c. Number of public schools serving IP learners in Mindanao d. evaluation of the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Education Program Thank you. Hoping for a positive response.

October 14, 2019 Department of Education Dear Sir/Madam: Greetings! Davao Today, an online news organization established on November 2005 regularly pitches local and national news that matters to the Filipino people. In the practice of journalism, it is consistent in bringing about relevant and in-depth stories. I am Lucelle Bonzo, Executive Director of Davao Today. I have been a part of the Solution Journalism training in Indonesia offered by the Indonesian Association for Media Development and the product of its fellowship is to produce a solution journalism story. My story proposal centres on the goal for an inclusive education and will focus on the public and private initiatives to serve the indigenous peoples. Way back 2012, the Indigenous Peoples Education Program of the Department of Education was approved and implemented nationwide. Part of the story is the presentation of the statistics from 2013-2019 on the following items: a. Literacy and drop-out rate of the indigenous peoples in Mindanao b. Number of private and public schools serving IP learners in Mindanao c. Assessment of the Department of Education on the Indigenous Peoples Education Program The target release of the story is on November 2019. We hope that your office can help me in the data that I needed to produce an objective story. Should you have questions related on our request, we are more than willing to discuss it with you. Our contact details are: [email protected], Lucelle, contact number: 09090681625. Hoping for a positive response. Thank you. Sincerely yours, Lucelle Bonzo Executive Director Here is my story proposal approved by the Indonesian Association for Media Development . Story Proposal “Reporting Tolerance and Diversity with Solutions Journalism” Workshop and Fellowship Program Theme: Culturally Appropriate Curriculum in Inclusive Education Angle: Education is a fundamental human right and every government must ensure the access to inclusive and equitable quality and learning.Lumad schools in Mindanao are accused by state authorities of teaching students to rebel and is continually threatened by militarization and closure despite efforts of schools in teaching literacy and agriculture. Time line for reporting: August 29 - Sept 14 interviews of sources within Davao City Target: 1. Parents,students and teachers in Lumad schools both public and private 2. Department of Education – IP education 3. Alumni 4. Non-government organization Sept 18-22 interview sources outside Davao City Target: schools in Caraga,Surigao del Sur South Cotabato Davao del Norte Sept 25 – transcription Sept 29 – first draft;submit to Alex for critique Sept 29- October 4 - Alex critique October 7-12 revisions from the first draft October 15 – final draft Please answer these questions related to the story proposed (maximum 50 words each) 1. What do you want to write about and where? The topic would be on the remarkable experiences and challenges of students, teachers and parents in Lumad schools as they strive to ensure a culturally appropriate educational sytem. It will present how these institutions prioritize the student’s learning of indigenous culture and the teaching of practical skills needed to participate fully in society. 2. Why do you choose the topic? Despite the perceived growing numbers of the youth in the Philippines that goes to school, a large number of national minorities suffer from unequal or restricted access to quality education. Community leaders and non-government organizations established Lumad schools but continually threatened by militarization and closure. This topic calls for action and education among the sectors of society. 3. Who are the sources to interview? The following are the sources to interview: a. Lumad children in the areas of Mindanao b.Department of Education c.school administrators of Lumad schools d. Lumad community leaders e.child rights advocates like the Save our schools network f.anthropologist and sociologist g. parents of Lumad children h.teachers in Lumad schools 3. What are the basic researches, data and information to use in supporting your story idea? The basic researches,data and information that needs to be gathered are: a. United Nations Declaration on the right of national minorities to education b. Department of Education mandated curriculum c. Programs and Training in Lumad schools d. Lumad schools and operational status e. Literacy and Illiteracy rate in the Philippines 4. What are the impacts you want to see from your story published/broadcast? The story should help in the promotion of learning environments that are respectful of cultural diversity and the development of a curriculum that is responsive to their needs and cultural aspirations. It should help in the campaign for the continuity of the existing Lumad schools.