| Country: | Philippines |
| Established: | 1995 |
| Authority: | National Commission for Culture and the Arts |
| Ich: | Schools of Living Traditions |
| State Party: | Philippines |
| Domains: | Knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; oral traditions and expressions; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; and traditional craftsmanship |
| Id: | 01739 |
| Region: | APA |
| Year: | 2021 |
| Session: | 16th |
| List: | Good Safeguarding Practices |
The Schools of Living Traditions (SLTs) are education institutions in the Philippines dedicated to indigenous arts, crafts and other traditions.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) under Felipe M. de Leon, Jr. launched its program on SLTs in 1995.[1] [2] [3] The NCCA supports SLTs as part of the UNESCO's mandate to preserve living traditions of the indigenous peoples. SLTs are community-managed centers of learning headed by cultural masters and specialists who teaches knowledge or skills on a particular art, craft and tradition to the youth. The conduct of teaching in SLTs is often non-formal, oral and with practical demonstrations.[4] [5] There are currently 28 SLTs being implemented across the Philippines.[6]
In 2021, the SLTs were included in the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices under the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The inclusion in the UNESCO list recognizes the efforts of the SLTs to safeguard traditional and cultural knowledge and practices from the potential negative effects of modernization.[7]