Thesis, Undergraduate (BA Social Science) -- U. P. in Mindanao

The Philippine educational system which is mainly a legacy from the Americans, promotes free formal education to all Filipinos in the primary and secondary level. Formal education is a purposeful task to impart specific skills and modes of thought which includes training in reading, writing and other disciplines such as science and math. Education involves the transmission of skills, attitudes, values, beliefs, traditions, and social standards for effective participation in the society. Despite the government's active campaign in making education democratic, participation is alarmingly low among the Badjao also called Sama Dilaut (Nimmo 2001). The Badjao in Taluksangay is often discriminated by the mainstream society because of their continued adherence to their animist's belief as mentioned by Bottignolo (1999), that Badjao are ignorant Muslims; most of them still cling to old and pagan practices. This paper aims to find out the perceptions of the Sama Badjao also called(Sama Dilaut) regarding formal education. I am particularly interested in how these perceptions are being shaped by their socio-economic experiences. Most of the data was gathered in Isla Verde, Boulevard, Davao City supplemented by my fieldwork in Taluksangay, Zamboanga City in the summer of 2003. A survey was conducted in order to know more about the socio-demographic profile of the Badjao especially to know how many have entered formal schooling . Eight key informants were chosen for a more in depth interview. Interview revealed that few Badjao in Isla Verde and Taluksangay have gone to school. Factors for this low participation include discrimination from the larger society in the case of Badjao in Taluksangay and economic constraints for the Badjao settled in Isla Verde, Poverty, early marriage and large family size are also significant factors in shaping their perceptions. Formal education at the moment does not hold meaning in the every day life of Badjao.