Gatchalian calls for review of materials following 'offensive' depiction of Igorots in books

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called on the Department of Education's Bureau of Learning Resources to conduct a nationwide assessment of learning materials following what has been described as an offensive portrayal of Igorots in students' books and modules.

"The discriminatory language describing Igorots in some learning materials shows the urgent need for the DepEd to revamp its quality assurance process to ensure that it does not tolerate all indications of discrimination," Gatchalian said in a statement over the weekend.

"This requires mobilization of all units concerned with learning resource development, including the Curriculum Implementation Division at the division level and the Curriculum Learning and Management Division at the regional level, to ensure thorough vetting of our learning materials," he added.

In a book titled “Masayang Buhay (Binagong Edition 2001), an image of a man with black curly hair was shown saying, “Isa akong Igorot. Kulot na kulot ang itim kong buhok.”

The publisher, Saint Matthew’s Publishing Corporation, said it pulled out the books in 2018 after it was criticized and that the book is no longer in circulation.

It also apologized to the public due to the incident.

Although the DepEd has reportedly recalled the learning material in question, Gatchalian said there were still reports of errors on books and modules being used by students which only showed the weaknesses in the department's quality assurance processes.

These errors, he added, only bring more confusion on students who are already struggling from a distance learning setup and, worse, perpetuate stereotypes.

"Sinasalamin ng ating learning materials ang kalidad ng ating edukasyon kaya dapat nating siguruhin ang lahat ng hakbang upang matiyak na ang mga ito ay wasto at may paggalang sa lahat ng kultura at sektor ng ating lipunan," Gatchalian said.

DepEd earlier said that it does not condone discrimination of indigenous communities.

“Maghire tayo ng third party quality assurance team sa isang major university ng ating bansa,” DepEd Undersecretary Diosdado San Antonio said.

“Nung nag introduce tayo ng Error Watch, so napadala sa amin ‘yung mga error at mabilis na mabilis nating iniisyu ‘yung mga errata,” he added

DepEd has also advised parents to immediately inform schools about incorrect information on their children’s books and modules.—AOL, GMA News