Applying grounded theory: A practical guide for understanding indigenous people's concept of education

• Main Author: Roquero, Sabino T., Jr.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2008
• Subjects: Grounded theory; Indigenous peoples; Education; Educational Leadership
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_doctoral/276; https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/context/etd_doctoral/article/1275/filename/0/type/additional/viewcontent/CDTG004624_F.pdf
• Institution: De La Salle University

Educating indigenous people is a worldwide concern. The Mamanua tribe is one of the many indigenous peoples in the Philippines needing education. This study aimed at generating and formulating a framework or model workable towards a grounded theory of education for indigenous peoples particularly the Mamanuas in Surigao del Norte in Mindanao. Interviewing the four Mamanua tribes over a period of four months and analyzing the data using Barney Glasers method of constant comparison, a Mamamanua Concept of Education was found to be the emergent core category or core variable and was the Mamanuas central concern in the process of data collection. The Mamanua concept of education consists of an education inside or within the tribe and an education outside the tribe. The former is tribe-based, while the latter is public or private- based formal education. The concept consists of the development of literacy and numeracy skills. It must have meaningful curriculum content and enabling factors and conditions to generate educational outcomes or effects. Contextual hindrances or problems must be solved otherwise education for them is a failure. Lastly, education for them means to preserve their culture and traditions and to liberate them from any form of oppression, rejection and discrimination which are political, socio-economic and cultural in nature. This study is helpful in developing a specific curriculum for the Mamanua tribe. It can also be a tool in formulating educational policies on the basis of indigenous peoples rights and a guide for those who would like to commit themselves in the mission of educating the Mamanuas and indigenous peoples in general. Educating the Mamanuas is simply translating into action what their concept of education is all about.