By EDWIN O. FERNANDEZ
COTABATO City– t the end of this year, the Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will have close to 900 classroom buildings all throughout the region, an education official said. Monday.
Constructions are on-going for the new school facilities with a budget of P500 million in partnership with an international agency.
Dr. John Magno, the region’s Department of Education (DepEd) secretary, said P191 million was also earmarked for water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in ARMM’s schools.
He reiterated that “Bangsamoro children deserve quality teachers and better school facilities.”
Magno said the support of the Australian government through its Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM) program, helps a lot to deliver quality education in the region.
BEAM-ARMM is a comprehensive education and youth development program designed to contribute to the alleviation of poverty and to promote peace in the region.
It delivers accessible and healthy learning facilities, quality teachers, learning materials, and a protective environment for children in need, through effective, transparent, and accountable management systems.
To date, 123 classrooms were already rehabilitated and 50 new classrooms were constructed by BEAM-ARMM across the region benefitting more than 8,000 student-beneficiaries each school year.
A series of supplemental training to over 9,000 teachers on Enhanced Basic Education Curriculum under the K to 12 program were also conducted. This initiative also provides skills training to out-of-school youth and senior high school students.
Maluso is one of the recipients of projects under DepEd-ARMM and BEAM-ARMM program.
HadjaThandzmahalIdan, 35, said she was happy and lucky her son, Al Jake Idan, Grade 3 student will be enjoying new school building in Maluso town in Basilan.
“My son is one of the lucky students who will occupy the newly rehabilitated classrooms at Portholland Elementary School,” Idan said.
AmellaJalani, Portholland school head, said the school has 28 classrooms but only 16 are being used.
“Last school year, 1,900 students merged to only 16 classrooms, which resulted in a classroom-student ratio of over 1:100,” said Jalani. She underscored that this problem results in students skipping class and leads to severe absenteeism.
Based on data from the DepEd’s Enhanced Basic Education Information System, ARMM has 989 schools classified as “black and red” in 2012.
The black schools are without existing instructional classrooms while red schools need either classroom repairs, or new classrooms.
Five of Portholland’s old classroom buildings were renovated while two new classrooms were constructed by the BEAM-ARMM.
Magno said the rehabilitation and construction of new school buildings was part of the laying down of foundation for a new Bangsamoro government expected to come as a result of the government peace initiatives with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). (pna)
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