Teachers named as IK guides

Ten teachers from the Department of Education-Ifugao were recognized as indigenous knowledge (IK) educators.
The IK educators from Gohang National High School (GNHS) in Banaue, were recognized during their graduation ceremonies at the Ifugao State University (IFSU) on Feb. 6.
They underwent capacity building seminars and workshops on Ifugao indi-genous knowledge and curriculum development for almost five months.
The pioneering batch developed and produced the GNHS Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Framework and Indigenous Knowledge, Skills and Practices (IKSP) General Curriculum Guide.
The documents serve as bases in producing indigenized and contextualized learning modules.
Aside from these, 12 learning modules on Ifugao agriculture, muyung system and biodiversity, gender roles, woodcarving, hudhud, traditional back strap weaving, dances, basketry, and tourism and topography were crafted.
The knowledge materials are now available for educators and other stakeholders who want to promote indigenized and contextualized learning materials on the different Ifugao knowledge, skills, and practices.
Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon, project leader and IFSU President, lauded program partners, pioneer-graduates, and mentors for contributing towards the success of the program.
Dugyon also recognized the challenges in perpetuating IKSP due to modernization, internationalization, and technological trends.
“Many young people are no longer interested to learn IKSP and definitely our Ifugao Knowledge Educators Training Program is IFUS and DepEd’s way of addressing this challenge,” she said.
The Ifugao Indigenous Knowledge Educators Training Program, launched in August 2019 with DepEd as partner, is one of the components of the Center for Taiwan-Philippines Indigenous Knowledge, Local Knowledge and Sustainable Studies (CTPILS) Project.
CTPILS is an international academic and research cooperation between IFSU and the National Chengchi University of Taiwan. The Ifugao Indigenous Knowledge Educators Training Program aims to build up a core of indigenous knowledge educators from DepEd and IFSU with the participation of knowledge holders and experts from the communities and academe.
At the end of the program, at least 80 educators, knowledge holders, and IFSU mentors are expected to be capacitated and produce 40 instructional materials for indigenous know-ledge and sustainable studies.
The program is implemented for two semesters per year for three years. Trainees must complete 96 hours. They are scheduled to meet once a month for two days.
Most of the training activities are conducted at the International Innovation Center for Indigenous Studies, GIAHS Center, IFSU Main Campus, Nayon, Lamut. – Eulalie D. Dulnuan