A BRIEF HISTORY OF TAWANG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The history of Tawang Integrated School is closely connected to the development of Barangay Tawang, one of the sixteen barangays of the Municipality of La Trinidad, Province of Benguet. As the community grew over the years, so did the need for accessible and quality education, paving the way for the establishment and continuous development of the school.

The name "Tawang" has two commonly accepted origins. According to the early inhabitants, it was derived from a Kankanaey word referring to the practice of catching birds through the use of fire inside caves. Another account states that the name originated from the Ibaloi ritual dance called "tayaw," which was performed inside caves when the traditional cañao was curtailed. The place was first called "Tayawan," which later evolved into "Tawang." (Municipality of La Trinidad, Barangay Tawang Profile)

The first settlers of Tawang were predominantly from the Kankanaey ethnic group who occupied the area around 1898 during the closing years of the Spanish colonial period. As years passed, families from neighboring communities settled in the barangay, creating a diverse yet culturally rich community where many traditional customs and indigenous practices continue to be observed. (Municipality of La Trinidad, Barangay Tawang Profile)

In 1955, through Proclamation No. 209 issued by President Ramon Magsaysay, portions of La Trinidad, including Tawang, were declared alienable and disposable lands. This enabled qualified occupants to secure ownership of the lands they occupied, contributing to the community's growth and stability. (Municipality of La Trinidad, Barangay Tawang Profile)

Educational services in the community began around the 1960s when the Seventh-day Adventist Church established a small school that offered Grades I and II. During the same decade, Tawang Elementary School was established to provide public elementary education to the growing population of Barangay Tawang. The construction of the school, together with the road connecting Sitio Boted to Central Tawang, greatly improved access to education and opened new opportunities for the residents of the community. (Municipality of La Trinidad, Barangay Tawang Profile)

For decades, Tawang Elementary School served as the primary public elementary school of the barangay. Guided by the Department of Education, the school became a center of learning and community development, producing generations of learners who pursued higher education and contributed to the progress of Barangay Tawang and neighboring communities. Through the dedication of school heads, teachers, parents, local government officials, and stakeholders, the school continuously improved its instructional programs, learning facilities, and learner support services.

As the population continued to increase and the demand for secondary education became more evident, learners who completed elementary education had to travel to neighboring schools to continue their studies. Recognizing this need, the Department of Education, local government officials, and community stakeholders worked together to pursue the conversion of Tawang Elementary School into an integrated school.

The legislative process began with the filing of House Bill No. 2325 during the Nineteenth Congress, proposing the conversion of Tawang Elementary School into Tawang Integrated School. This was followed by Senate Bill No. 1901, which sought to establish an integrated school offering both elementary and secondary education under one institution. The measure aimed to make quality basic education more accessible to learners within Barangay Tawang and nearby communities while reducing travel time and educational costs for families. House of Representatives of the Philippines Senate of the Philippines

Following the approval of the conversion by the Department of Education, Tawang Elementary School officially became Tawang Integrated School and was assigned its own School Identification (School ID 502999). The conversion marked a significant milestone in the school's history as it expanded its mandate from providing elementary education to offering a complete basic education program. The establishment of the integrated school strengthened educational opportunities for learners by allowing them to complete both elementary and junior high school education within the same institution.

Today, Tawang Integrated School continues to uphold its commitment to delivering inclusive, equitable, and quality education. Building upon the legacy of Tawang Elementary School, the institution remains committed to developing lifelong learners who embody the ideals of the Department of Education while fostering strong partnerships with parents, stakeholders, the local government, and the entire community. The school's transformation from a community elementary school into an integrated school stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the people of Tawang in ensuring that every learner has access to quality education close to home.