The improvement in the basic education of the Indigenous Peoples (IPs) will soon take place with the Philippines Response to Indigenous and Muslim Education (PRIME) program of the Department of Education (DepEd).

Formally launched in CY 2011, PRIME will help DepEd focus on the specific needs of Muslim and indigenous communities through the development of learning materials, training of teachers and adaptation of the indigents’ cultures into the curriculum. With its implementation by 2014, it was seen to contribute to the achievement of the Philippine Millennium Development Goals (MDG) and Education for All (EFA) targets.

Mr. Jun Poblete of DepEd said that the region’s’ grantees include 15 schools in Palanan, Maconacon, Divilacan and Dinapigue in Isabela; and 45 schools in the 8 Districts of Nueva Vizcaya. An estimated total of 6,033 IPs is expected to be benefited from the project.

The programs and projects to be undertaken are: feeding programs, provision of school supplies, protective gears (boots and rain coats), and learning materials. For Nueva Vizcaya, research and ethnography and tutoring shall also be conducted.