For almost two decades now, the Social Development Research Center has been pursuing the development and implementation of a culture-sensitive basic education program for the Hanunuo Mangyan of Oriental Mindoro. Since 1983, the Pundasyon Hanunuo Mangyan School has been in operation, serving Mangyan children coming from three neighboring sitios in the municipality of Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.
The major objectives of the project are: 1)to establish an elementary education program that would be appropriate to the needs, experiences, and aspirations of the Hanunuo Mangyan community; and 2)to help build the community's capacity to ultimately manage the school. The benficiary-community has been given a pivotal role in all aspects of its management.
