By Edwin Fernandez/Philippine News Agency
COTABATO CITY – Some 700 Mudaras (principals) of Madrasah (Islamic schools) gathered Friday in this city to discuss ways on how to strengthen the traditional Madaris education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Madaris (plural is Madrasah) refers to a Muslim private school with a core emphasis on Islamic studies and Arabic literacy.
Madaris education is considered as the oldest in Mindanao and is recognized to be the single most important factor in the preservation of the Islamic faith and culture in the Philippines.
With the theme “Strengthening Madrasah Education Geared towards Attainment of Quality Balance Education,” the gathering was an opportunity for the Mudaras to clarify issues and concerns in providing BARMM with quality education.
“The vision of the BARMM- Bureau of Madaris Education (BME) is to have a balanced and quality education for all the areas under the region,” said Dr. Ismael Abdullah, BME director-general, in a statement on Saturday.
“What does it mean to have a balanced education? It is for our next generation to completely understand the Arabic and English language,” he said.
Abdullah said the children in the Madrasah should learn the Arabic language for them to fully understand the Holy Qur’an, and also absorb the English language since technology in the country is mostly taught in English.
“Studying both Arabic and English is the children’s key to attain the good here in the world and, in the hereafter,” Abdullah said.
During the program held at EM Manor Hotel here, the participants also received inputs on proper Madrasah management, rules, duties and responsibilities of Madaris principals.
The BARMM comprises the provinces of Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, and Lanao del Sur; the cities of Lamitan, Basilan, and Cotabato; and 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato.
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