PANABO CITY – To address educational disparities affecting indigenous learners, Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) conducted a two-day training program titled “Empowerment for Quality Understanding and Integration of Policies: Indigenous Peoples Education through LEADership Advocacy and Development (EQUIP-ILEAD)” on August 23 and 30, 2025.
The training was held under the extension component “Teaching Quality of Indigenous Education (TQIE): Training for Teachers Facilitating Indigenous Learners”. It gathered 20 school principals and representatives from elementary schools across Panabo City, aiming to equip educators with culturally responsive teaching methods and enhance the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) into classroom instruction.
On the first day, Atty. Ben Masungcad, PhD, guided participants through the session “Exploring Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA): Legal Foundations, Policy Frameworks, and Community Empowerment”, providing a legal and policy foundation for Indigenous education.
The second session, “Strengthening IPED through Scholarly Inquiry and Shared Knowledge”, was facilitated by a panel of experts including Dr. Norhan Jaalmani, Dr. Ferlyn Tubice, and Principal Raymond Abanto. The discussion centered on practical strategies for incorporating Indigenous perspectives into pedagogy and fostering sustainable school-community partnerships.
A core objective of the EQUIP-ILEAD program is to promote community collaborations that support culturally grounded education. The training encouraged educators to serve as advocates and leaders for Indigenous learners within their schools and local communities.
The EQUIP-ILEAD project team was composed of faculty members from the Institute of Advanced Studies, led by project leader, Dr. Nestle Joy R. Arguilla.
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