Report incorrect info about Igorots on learning materials, DepEd CAR urges
By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Feb. 10 (PIA) — The Department of Education – Cordillera (DepED-CAR) remains steadfast in its stand to rally against any form of prejudice as it calls the attention of stakeholders to be proactive and help in putting a stop to the persistent form of discrimination against the indigenous peoples of the region collectively called Igorots.
In recent days, some DepEd learning materials having discriminatory descriptions and depictions of Igorots have been posted on social media. Immediately, DepEd-CAR Regional Director Estela Cariño called on more involvement to correct wrong depiction of Igorots.
She also called the attention of DepEd Region 2 where one erroneous material was traced. DepEd R2 retrieved the copies and rectified the error and wrote letter of apology to DepEd CAR, she said.
“We are disheartened that these errors circulate nationwide but we hope our collective efforts will change wrong concepts of indigenous peoples like us especially in areas that Igorots are not the majority,” Carino said.
The DepEd encourages the public to report any incorrect or wrong perception about the Igorots on learning modules through bit.ly/DepEdErrorWatch or by email through errorwatch@deped.gov.ph, text and messaging through Viber at 0961-6805334; Facebook messaging through DepEd Error Watch account and the DepEd Tayo Cordillera page.
Not all can be seen or monitored by the Learning Resource personnel or the Curriculum and Learning Management Division especially for self-learning modules developed locally in other places, Carino said.
She urged Cordillerans not to stay quiet, but report and possibly provide corrections with regards to some learning modules or materials which are maligning, discriminating, and wrongly depicting Igorots.
“When a wrong concept keeps repeated, this might be accepted as the truth that is why we need to respond to it right away and for those responsible to correct it immediately,” she said during the DepEd – CAR Convocation program recently.
“I am an Igorot and proud of it and we need to respond to such issues and not keep mum about it,” Cariňo said.
She also called on all education stakeholders to help in creating awareness on indigenous peoples and to be part of the system that correct these learning materials , not by bashing or ignoring it, but by calling the attention of the basic education department through its proper channels like the DepEd Error Watch, the official Facebook Pages of DepEd, and even her Office directly.
Netizens are also encouraged to use hashtag #depederrorwatch when posting complaints on social media sites. The hashtag will help monitor the complaints.
Meanwhile, Congressmen Jesse Allen Mangaoang of Kalinga, Maximo Dalog Jr of Mt. Province, Eric Yap of Benguet, Solomon Chungalo of Ifugao and Elias Bulut Jr of Apayao have filed House Resolution No. 1552 condemning the erroneous portrayals of Igorots in textbooks, learning modules and instructional materials and directing Deped to make through review of learning modules and materials which depict discrimination against Igorots and other IPs. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)
