MEMBERS of the Blaan tribe in General Santos City were not left behind when the country shifted to distance learning.

By using transistor radios and flash drives, the tribe members enrolled at the Maligaya High School were able to continue their studies.

With the help of the Department of Education, Radyo Mo, Kinabukasan ko and private groups, at least 149 IP learners were given transistor radios and flash drives that they can use for their studies.

The flashdrives contain pre-recorded lessons that they can listen to as they study and in answering the learning modules.

These tools help the IP learners to better understand their lessons.

One of the IP students was BS Joy Bautista, who said that education is a weapon against discrimination.

“Sa akin at sa aking mga ka-tribu, mahalaga na maipagpatuloy namin ang aming pag-aaral sa ilalim ng distance learning. Gusto naming magpatuloy dahil gusto po naming maalis ang diskriminasyon at pangmamaliit sa mga katutubong Blaan,” Bautista said.

“At dahil dito, makikita ang pagpupursige at pagsusumikap naming mga katutubo maging sa gitna ng hamon ng pandemya,” Bautista said.