SAVE Our Schools Network deplored the alleged inaction of the Department of Education to protect Lumad schools that fell victim to the crackdown of the military.

The group lamented that DepEd officials did not lift a finger to stop the closure of more than 100 schools in Lumad communities.

“DepEd violated its declared mission of protecting and promoting the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic education,” it said.

The group claimed that 178 Lumad schools have been forcibly closed and dismantled by the military while “rabidly red-tagging the teachers,students and supporters.” More than 5,000 students were affected, it said.

” DepEd, instead of fulfilling its mandate to protect the schools and uphold the Lumad’s right to education, has parroted the false claims,” the SOS said.

The group said that Lumad schools in Mindanao were established by indigenous organizations with support from missionary groups to fill the gaps in addressing the shortage of schools in remote communities.

“The schools were built to raise the next generation of Lumad with knowledge and skills to protect and develop their culture and their ancestral lands,” it explained.