Access to education: Right or privilege? The case of the indigenous people in the Aeta community in Capas, Tarlac

• Main Authors: Patiu, Liberty S., Dionida, Cyrill
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2019
• Subjects: Aeta (Philippine people)—Education; Indigenous peoples—Education—Philippines; Education
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/5756
• Institution: De La Salle University

Over the years, UNESCO had continuously campaigned for the welfare of indigenous peoples around the World, as highlighted during the 2007 UN General Assembly which created the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIPS). The study aims to determine how parents and/or guardians of these students assess access to education, its benefits and the challenges they faced. Descriptive research design, using a combination of structured (closed-ended) and unstructured interview questionnaire, was utilized to achieve this goal. It draws on the responses provided by 28 respondents in the Aeta Community in Capas, Tarlac. Many respondents believe that their children are getting good access to education and have equal right as other students. They considered availability of resources, quality of education, and helpful teachers as beneficial to the students’ education. Lack and loss of interest to study, poverty, inability to write, and difficult to comprehend are among the major reasons why some children stopped studying. All respondents unanimously agreed that the education provided to their children or relatives is very beneficial in improving their lives and well-being. As some aspects of education were provided at advanced levels and not relevant to the needs of the students, special education must be given to them. The results of this study will provide baseline information on the quality and accessibility of education, which researchers and academe can utilize for future endeavors in designing and developing new direction for IP education in the Philippines.