32 B. IP Education and Advocacy Services Education has been one major concern of the NCIP since the promulgation of IPRA in 1997. To pursue and respond to education concerns of the indigenous peoples, the commission continues to provide educational assistance to qualified and deserving IP youths nationwide. The IP Education and Advocacy Services is accorded to members of the ICCs/Ps enrolled in the elementary, high school, vocational, college, as well as graduate and postgraduate course levels in NCIP-EAP and college students in Merit-based Scholarship (MBS). It is aimed to assist deserving IP youths to pursue appropriate education through financial assistance and any other educational endeavors and help them become contributors in their communities and in the nation. Development Objective: To invest in the human capital through the grant of scholarships to deserving ICCs/IPs who seek the opportunity and qualify for educational advancement and/or skills development, thereby empowering them to become self-reliant and capacitated to meaningfully contribute to the promotion of their well-being and to nationbuilding.