Kalinga schools shift Butbut-Tulgao students to alternative learning modes amid ongoing tribal conflict

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — Schools in Kalinga have activated alternative learning modes and strengthened campus security for students from the Butbut and Tulgao tribes affected by the ongoing tribal conflict in Tinglayan.

The measures were reported during an emergency meeting of the Kalinga Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), chaired by Governor James Edduba, with representatives from educational institutions and other stakeholders on Wednesday, September 16.

The meeting focused on immediate interventions to ensure the safety of students and employees from the affected communities while allowing students to continue their education amid the ongoing peace efforts.

Representatives from colleges and universities and the Schools Division Offices (SDOs) of Kalinga and Tabuk City reported the measures they had implemented beginning September 15.

These included tighter security inside school campuses and the activation of alternative learning modes, including modular learning, for affected students who could not safely travel from their communities.

The St. Louis College of Bulanao (SLCB) reported that it immediately implemented an “Operation Kapkap” for people entering the campus as part of its security measures.

The school has 68 students from the affected tribes—24 from Tulgao and 44 from Butbut.

SLCB also invoked a provision in its revised student manual allowing students to be excused from classes during a tribal conflict. The school said affected students would continue to have access to academic activities and services through its learning management system.

At Kalinga State University (KSU), security measures were also strengthened inside the campus. The university temporarily prohibited public utility vehicles from entering the campus as part of its security measures.

KSU also reported that it was still verifying the number of students affected by the conflict as of the morning of September 16.

The International School of Asia and the Pacific (ISAP) likewise implemented security checks at its campus. The school reported that students from the Butbut and Tulgao tribes had already been brought to safer areas by their respective communities.

ISAP also said it plans to provide psychological support to affected learners.

Meanwhile, the Kalinga Colleges of Science and Technology Inc. (KCST) granted requests for modular learning to students affected by the conflict.

The school, however, urged parents to ensure that their children remain at home while completing their learning modules, citing previous experience in which students under modular learning during tribal conflicts were observed outside their homes.

For the Department of Education (DepEd)-Kalinga, an alternative delivery mode was also implemented for students who could not leave their villages because of the conflict.

Classes, however, continue in schools located within the Butbut and Tulgao communities.

The DepEd-Tabuk City Schools Division Office also reported that 11 schools have students from the Butbut and Tulgao tribes.

The division said it is prepared to implement measures to protect affected students while ensuring that their education continues. It is awaiting formal letters from the two communities to support requests to excuse affected students from classes.

Governor Edduba thanked the participating schools and education officials for their immediate response to the situation and their efforts to protect students while minimizing disruption to learning.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Government of Kalinga and the Municipal Government of Tinglayan, together with the concerned communities, government agencies and other stakeholders, continue to work toward restoring harmony and achieving lasting peace between the Butbut and Tulgao tribes.