Two tribal schools, established during the school year 2008-2009, serve the Taga-Kaulo villages of Ilian and Kitorok, town of Santa Maria, Davao del Sur, in the south-eastern Philippines.
In the school year of 2008, 145 pupils and 5 teachers started the tribal school program. Pupils’ ages ranged from 7 to 14 years old. In Ilian, there were two grade I classes and a class of grade IV. In Kitorok, there were two classes of grade I. It was very gratifying that, not a single pupil dropped out of school the first year, indicating the people’s hunger for learning. Despite great sacrifice and difficulties, students, teachers and parents finished the school year with great enthusiasm.
Our second year of operation, all the 145 pupils re-enrolled, and we hired 2 more teachers to accommodate 58 additional pupils for grade I. As of 2012-2013 our enrollment reached nearly 300.
Adult Education
Parents craved education for their children and for themselves to break the bondage of illiteracy. There are 145 adults enrolled for week-end classes, most, parents of children at the schools. Very enthusiastic to learn, they realize the great value of basic literacy. In fact, last local election, some were able to vote unaided for the first time, because they can now read and write. It was empowering and gratifying, and a source of great pride for them that they are becoming literate.
Location of the Tribal Schools
Located in the southern most part of the Philippines, deep into the mountain range of Santa Maria, Davao del Sur live the Tagakaulo tribal people. This place is about two hours by car from the nearest town. These villages called , Kitorok and Ilian, have no roads, no electricity, no running water. The people are substituent farmers - they live on the crops they produce like coconuts, bananas, sweet potatoes and vegetables.