Bishop laments closure of
indigenous schools in southern Philippines
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| Philippines children at play on a beach (AFP) |
The Department of Education (DepEd) in Davao on October 8
ordered the permanent closure of 55 Lumad schools in Davao area.
By Robin Gomes
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP)
laments the permanent closure of Lumad or indigenous schools by the government
in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao, the CBCP News reported.
Bishop Roberto Mallari of San Jose, the chairman of CBCP’s
Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education, said the closure was
not the best option when the concerned issues could be sorted out.
“I am saddened with the closure of the schools instead of
making an effort to improve the education system,” he said over church-run
Radio Veritas on Wednesday.
The Department of Education (DepEd) in Davao on October 8
ordered the permanent closure of 55 Lumad schools in Davao area. The decision
came four months after the agency suspended their operations for their alleged
links to the Communist Party of the Philippines and the rebel group of the New
People's Army (NPA). DepEd also said that the schools run by Salugpungan
Ta’Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Centers also failed to meet government
requirements and hiring unauthorised teachers.
Bishop Mallari said DepEd should have considered the fate of
more than 3,500 Lumad learners and teachers who will be affected by the
move.
According to him, it was better to have schools, even
without fulfilling all the necessary conditions, than no school at all.
"Children can still learn if a school is up and running," he
added.
He lamented the Philippine authorities’ failure to do the right
thing to improve the region’s education system.
Bishop Mallari called on the affected indigenous students to
remain optimistic and not to lose hope. “I hope that their situation will lead
them to hold on to hope instead of giving up,” he said.
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