Unveiling the Journey of Indigenous People (IP) Learners from the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA)

Authors

  • Rochelle G. Onrejas Department of Education Region XII, Division of General Santos City, Lozano Elementary School, Philippines
  • Emie A. Genton, PhD Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Colleges image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63671/ijeir.v2i3.127

Keywords:

educational management, the journey of indigenous learners, GIDA, multiple case study, Philippines

Abstract

This multiple case study aimed to determine the journey of Indigenous People (IP) learners from the GIDA in Apopong District, Division of General Santos City. The participants of this study were (5) Indigenous People (IP) learners who were currently enrolled in Apopong District, Division of General Santos City. Five major challenges were identified, including lack of resources and limited teacher training, cultural barriers, experiences of discrimination, difficulties in persevering through hardships, and struggles in balancing cultural identity within the school setting. To address these difficulties, the learners employed coping strategies such as drawing strength from guidance, relying on the support of family and teachers, and maintaining focus and discipline in their studies. From these experiences, several insights were revealed, including the importance of perseverance when supported by others, the value of staying rooted in one’s culture as a source of pride and resilience, and the recognition that education serves as a transformative tool that uplifts not only the individual but also the community as a whole. These findings imply the need to strengthen culturally responsive support systems to better assist IP learners in overcoming educational barriers.

References

Aron, L., & Ferrara, L. (2024). Centering Native perspectives and wisdom: Reframing non-Indigenous research on American Indian health. Urban Institute. https://www.nihb.org/resources/IDH%20UNPFII%20Report%20-%202023.pdf⁠

Banes, G. G., & Cruz, K. B. D. (2021). The integration of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in the tertiary level curriculum of Benguet State University La Trinidad Campus. Mountain Journal of Science and Interdisciplinary Research, 81(1), 19–36. https://doi.org/10.70884/mjsir.v81i1.279⁠

Barry, J., Allan, E., Chandran, D., Cook, J., Curtis, B., Kostyniuk, A., & Yau, D. (2023). Unsettling notions of planning competence: Lessons from studio-based learning with indigenous peoples. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 43(1), 35–46. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739456X19844571⁠

Bennett, J. (2024). Indigenous pedagogies in digital learning. In ASCILITE (pp. 136–138). https://doi.org/10.1002/cc.70050⁠

Colicol, F. L. (2024). Pragmatism as basis of the integration of indigenous knowledge systems and practices in the Philippine K–12 indigenous peoples education program: Problematizing and ways forward. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 56(10), 1021–1033. https://doi.org/10.1080/00131857.2024.2348807⁠

Hipolito, M. F. G. (2024). A systematic literature review of the significance of the school of living tradition in the preservation of cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 5(2), 605–614. http://dx.doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.05.02.21⁠�

Magdadaro, J. M. D., & Sacramento, N. J. J. E. (2022). Community engagement in the Indigenous education discourse: Unravelling policy lessons from Lumad’s alternative school in Mindanao, Philippines. Thammasat Review, 25(1), 57–81. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13394-025-00548-x⁠

Maniego, M. L. V., Duante, C. A., Velasquez, M. B. M., & Tordecilla, R. L. (2024). Predictors of undernutrition among under-five children in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas in the Philippines. Malaysian Journal of Nutrition, 30(3). https://doi.org/10.31246/mjn-2024-0017⁠

Ocampo, D. J., Rufino, R., & Gonzales, J. F. (2021). Participatory policy formulation on indigenous peoples education in the K to 12 basic education program in the Philippines. In Minding the marginalized students through inclusion, justice, and hope (Vol. 16, pp. 211–242). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-363620210000016012⁠

Quimbo, M. A., Curuz, R. O. D., Serrano, E., Paunlagui, M., & Centeno, E. (2023). Towards liberating education: A proposed rights-based instructional planning approach for teaching Higaonon learners in the Philippines. International Journal of Asian Education, 4(3), 132–149. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0193⁠

Quines, L. A., & Albutra, D. A. (2023). The mediating effect of normative commitment on the relationship between instructional coaching skills and teamwork of teachers. European Journal of Education Studies, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i3.4713⁠

Quines, L. A., & Monteza, M. T. (2023). The mediating effect of teacher collegiality on the relationship between instructional leadership and professional development of teachers. European Journal of Education Studies, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v10i3.4716⁠

Sy, P. A. (2021). Open educational resources for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Higher Education Interventions During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic, 1. https://doi.org/10.63498/etcor397⁠

Villaplaza, L. B. (2021). Level of implementation of indigenous peoples education program in Agusan Del Sur, Philippines. Asia Pacific Journal of Contemporary Education and Educational Technology, 7(1), 20–33. https://doi.org/10.55197/qjssh.v6i3.678

Downloads

Published

2026-07-03

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 3: July-September 2026

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Educational Innovations and Research

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Onrejas, R. G., & Genton, E. A. (2026). Unveiling the Journey of Indigenous People (IP) Learners from the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA). International Journal of Educational Innovations and Research, 2(3), 01-12. https://doi.org/10.63671/ijeir.v2i3.127

Similar Articles

11-20 of 60

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.

Most read articles by the same author(s)