School of Indigenous Knowledge (SIK): Nurturing Obo Manobo’s Culture

Abstract

The School of Indigenous Knowledge (SIK) is established to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the Bagobo-Tagabawa and Obo Manobo Indigenous Cultural Communities (ICCs) in Mt. Apo, Philippines. Identified under the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) Program and the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP), the SIK is the educational response initiative that addresses the loss of indigenous identity among youth due to mainstream education. Unlike existing models like the School of Living Traditions (SLT), which focus on specific crafts, SIK adopts a holistic approach by integrating indigenous history, geography, language, traditional arts, and ecological knowledge into the curriculum. It emphasizes the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) and fosters environmental stewardship through teachings connected to Mt. Apo. With two established campuses and over 70 students served, the initiative is sustained through a multistakeholder partnership involving government agencies, NGOs, and local ICC structures. SIK exemplifies a community-driven model of culturally grounded education aimed at long-term cultural revitalization and environmental sustainability.