First T’boli senior high school launched

A senior high school for T'boli students was launched in Lake Sebu in Surallah town, South Cotabato on Tuesday.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro led the activities during the launch of the T'boli Senior High School (TSHS) at Lake Sebu National High School.

Luistro said this is the first school of its kind. "We endeavored to make sure that the curriculum as well as its [senior high school] offerings are in line with Indigenous Peoples culture and language. Ang eskwelahan dapat ang link between culture and development," he said.

Representatives from the DepEd and the T'boli attending the launch.

NOW: Launching of the first Tboli Senior High School at Lake Sebu National HS #GoKto12 pic.twitter.com/XkYbi6Zau9

— DepEd (@DepEd_PH) May 18, 2015

Luistro also led the ribbon-cutting for the senior high school's classrooms.

DepEd Sec. Luistro leads the ribboncutting for the Tboli Senior HS classrooms. #GoKto12 pic.twitter.com/vwDC7GVJvh

— DepEd (@DepEd_PH) May 19, 2015

"It's an educational system that hopefully will become a template of a culturally sensitive education," he added.

Tech-vocational track

The DepEd said the TSHS, to be initially lodged at Lake Sebu National High School with about 45 students for its early implementation of Grade 11 in SY 2015-2016, will offer a technical-vocational track.

It will focus on Sustainable Community Resources Management with Agriculture and Ecotourism options.

Datu Benito Blonto, chair of the Municipal Tribal Council of Lake Sebu, said the program will benefit the students.

"Pagkatapos nila sa K to 12, makakapasok sila sa employment dahil may skills and qualifications na sila. Sa pamamagitan ng programang ito, ide-develop natin ang skills ng mga estudyante base sa kultura. Sasanayin sila sa ecotourism at paggamit ng resources na mayroon sa lugar," he said.

Lang Dulay

Luistro dedicated the school's launch to the late National Artist Lang Dulay.

Dulay, a Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee in 1998, was known for her textile weaving depicting her people, the T'boli, in Lake Sebu in South Cotabato.

"Part of what we are celebrating today is the life of Lang Dulay relived in our Senior High School," Luistro said.

"We need to understand and to nurture of our culture so that the works of Lang Dulay will not be lost with her and that we can pass on her dreams and arts to the next generation," he said.

"We should work together for our education. The story of our education system is a story of nationhood," he added. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News