The Center for Community Extension Services (CCES) facilitated a community exposure activity for 30 Senior High School students from the Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) strand at Monte Central Indigenous Peoples Elementary School in Patalon on October 24, 2024. As part of their HMS123 – Disciplines in Applied Social Sciences subject, the students, accompanied by their teachers and staff, engaged in hands-on learning about community development and organizing.
Joining the Program Officer for Education during a field activity, the students interacted with the learners and gained first-hand insights into the realities of Indigenous Peoples (IP) education. They also conducted an interview with Mr Rolando T Bernardo, the school’s Teacher-In-Charge, who shared the challenges and experiences of teaching in an IP community.
Through this initiative, the students observed how social science disciplines are applied in real-world settings. Their engagement with the community deepened their understanding of social realities and their role in promoting inclusive development.
Experiential learning opportunities like these reinforce the importance of awareness, empathy, and social responsibility, equipping future social science practitioners with the knowledge and commitment to serve marginalized communities.
