IMPROVING THE EDUCATION OF THE DUMAGATS: DESIGNING AND DEVELOPING A SPECIALIZED CURRICULUM.

The unquestionable relevance of education in the eradication of poverty and promotion of economic growth places education at the center of individual pursuits for social mobility. In consideration of the belief that education promotes societal and economic development of an individual, educators and policymakers should collaborate in the efforts of bringing education to the people, including its indigenous communities. Indigenous communities preserve their traditional education sans innovation, sans technology; thus, limiting their opportunities. In tribal education, knowledge is gained from first-hand experience and then transmitted or explored through ritual, ceremony, art, and appropriate technology. Tribal education, in this context, becomes education for "life's sake? ( Cajete, 2006). This study aimed to improve the education of the Dumagats in Norzagaray, Bulacan by designing and developing a specialized curriculum. The research was constructed as a case study of the educational practices of the Dumagats of Norzagaray, Bulacan using the ethnographic techniques of observation, document collection, and recording of conversations and interviews. Data included the results of the interviews: unstructured and semi-structured covering content areas on literacy history and intergenerational practices, literacy acquisition and learning, literacy use in everyday life, adult education, employment needs, and literacy use in daily life.