Demystifying Holistic Cooperation of the Ata- Manobo Parents: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Understanding the lived experiences of the Ata- Manobo Parents of the Upper Tagasan Integrated School in terms of their challenges encountered, cope with the challenges, and insight formed in order to craft a school- based cooperation program, thus, facilitating the transcendence of becoming active parents and become the role model of this far-flung IP school. The study utilized the phenomenological qualitative research design. An in- depth interview was used to gather data and pieces information from the 10 inactive parents-informants who were purposively selected from the Ata-Manobo Parents of Upper Tagasan Integrated School PTA attendance. Findings suggested that the challenges encountered by the Ata-Manobo parents are Ata-Manobo’s Understanding of parental Involvement, Meaning of Involvement at Children’s Education, Poverty, lack of education, Distance from the School, due to farming, dedication to participate, problem on information dissemination, and Misunderstanding. While their forms of insight includes Observation of Collaboration among Educators, United and Helping for Quality Education, Doing School Visitation, Need for Parents to Help Teachers, Parents and Administrators, Influence of Parents to Informants with their Role as Parents, Guarantees for Improvement of Cooperation for Child’s School, Exert Effort to Help Child, Encourage Child to Pursue Education, Ensure for Child’s Graduation, Parental Involvement a Must, Working Together a Great Way , Parents Need to Listen, Motivated by Incentives, Motivated by Direct Communications from School. Hence, the author suggested that a cooperation program should be implemented featuring the twelve cooperation services namely: livelihood projects, Understanding the Challenges, enhancing Communication and Engagement, Flexible Participation Chances, Cultural Awareness and Inclusiveness, Enabling Parental Leadership, Recognition and Words of Encouragements, Partnership with Local Assets, Token of Appreciation, referral, follow-up, and research and evaluation.