1 http:/ijhss.net/index.php/ijhss International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences p-ISSN: 1694-2620 e-ISSN: 1694-2639 Vol. 12, No. 3 (2020), pp. 1-12, ©IJHSS https://doi.org/10.26803/ijhss.12.3.1 Hope of the Future: Indigenous Children Perspectives about Education Jennifer M. Arbiol University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City, Philippines Elisa Mae Gura, Rey Jan Pusta and Laurence Cece University of Southeastern Philippines, Davao City, Philippines Abstract The study investigates the perspectives of indigenous children about Education. It seeks to understand the experiences of the indigenous children in school and their issues and concerns in schooling. The two basic ideas in the study of perception and Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory provide theoretical foundations for the participants' experiences and concerns. Participatory action research and phenomenological methods were utilized in conducting the study. Four (4) children of indigenous people and 5 of the parents participated in the study. Purposive sampling was used to identify the participants. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings of the study show that the participants, especially the children, desired to finish their Education. Nevertheless, they have to stop schooling from working and helping their parents provide for the family's needs. The issues and concerns identified by the participants revolve around the family condition means of transportation going to school, teachers in school, discrimination, and practices of indigenous people. Keywords: hope, perception, indigenous children, Education Introduction Indigenous people comprised 5% of the global population, but approximately 15% is at the bottom of human well-being index ratings; and one of the critical causes is the lack of quality education that is well-resourced, culturally sensitive, aligned with their learning needs, languages, priorities, and aspirations (Cosentino, 2016). In the Philippines, as of 2015, there are approximately 11 million indigenous people across the region based on the National Commission's report on Indigenous People ("Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines," 2015). The Special Division for Inclusive Social Development Indigenous People of the United Nations have identified issues concerning the Education of indigenous people such as a gap in Education due to lack of respect and resources; obstacles to Education like bullying, arriving in school hungry; loss of identity; invisible and at risk especially the unregistered children; and irrelevant of Education as it promotes competition rather than the communal way of living (UNDESA, 2018). Furthermore,