MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)—The Marawi City Schools Division took steps to strengthen the preservation of Meranaw culture and protect it from cultural erosion.
In a public consultation held at Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School on Friday, February 11, City Schools Division Superintendent Anna Zenaida Unte-Alonto presented her “Project Meranaw Ako Wednesday” proposal to solicit support from various stakeholders for its institutionalization through a City Council resolution or ordinance.
“Project Meranaw Ako Wednesday” entails the wearing of malong, a wrap-around garment, every Wednesday among the Division personnel and teachers to promote further the Meranaw identity and culture.
“We have observed that the different things associated with our race as Meranaw are being forgotten. So what we thought in the City Schools Division is for us to wear malong at least once a week, which we chose Wednesday because we also need to wear our uniform for the rest of the week,” she said.
According to her, the wearing of malong would inculcate among the learners the importance of appreciating the Meranaw culture.
“We wanted our learners to see and feel that their teachers who lead by example, who teach them, who nurture them, wear malong,” she further said.
The wearing of malong every Wednesday has already been imposed in Division Office but the SDS believes that it would be better if it will be enacted by the City Council to make it official among all public and private schools under the Division’s jurisdiction. (APB/PIA Lanao del Sur)
Photo caption:
Public and private teachers join the consultation on “Project Meranaw Ako Wednesday” which entails the wearing of malong, a wrap-around garment, every Wednesday among the Division personnel and teachers to promote further the Meranaw identity and culture. (Michael John Paclar/PIA Lanao del Sur)
