Inclusion of traditional weaving in K-12 curriculum lauded

FILE: Education Secretary Leonor Briones graces the launch of backstrap weaving or “laga” as a specialization under Home Economics in the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track of a senior high school in the Municipality of Lubuagan in Tabuk City on February 28, 2019. (Photo courtesy of Georaloy I. Palao-ay via PNA)

MANILA — The inclusion of traditional backstrap weaving or “laga” of Kalinga’s indigenous peoples into the K to 12 curriculum of senior high school students would ensure that the weaving technique is passed on for generations, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said on Monday.

Briones expressed her support to the integration of “laga” in the curriculum, saying this further strengthens the Indigenous Peoples Education (IPEd) curriculum in the Cordillera Region.

Backstrap weaving was launched as a specialization under Home Economics in the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood track of a senior high school in the Municipality of Lubuagan in Tabuk City on February 28.

“Through a memorandum of agreement among DepEd Kalinga, Kalinga State University, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority – Kalinga, a student is guaranteed an appropriate training certificate at the end of grade 12, and Work Immersion Program with the local government of Lubuagan which involves hands-on experience or work simulation by learners,” the statement read.

Consultants and experts from Kalinga State University will help in the development of knowledge and skills essential in the development of backstrap weaving design, learning resource production, and training designs of the specialization.