By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .
Cotabato City — Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohaqher Iqbal vowed to continue reforming the education sector in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.
Iqbal made the announcement in a graduation ceremony of 81 learners in Camp Darapanan in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao earlier this week. The ceremony was also graced by the ambassadors of Australia and Bangladesh.
Of the 81 completers, 51 were from Camp Darapanan Integrated School and 30 from Brac learning center.
“Maswerte kayo dahil nabubuhay kayo ng mapayapa, marami sa mga anak ng MILF ang hindi nakapag-aral dahil sa giyera,” Iqbal said as he reminisced his days in MILF.
Iqbal said this progress is the output of the Bangsamoro people’s 15-year struggle.
“Ngayon natatamasa na ang bunga ng kapayapaan. Ito naman talaga ang misyon ng mahigit limapung taon na pakikibaka ang mabigyan ng mapayapa at marangal na panumuhay ang mga kababayan natin,” he added.
He also noted that in terms of education they aspire to produce not only competent graduates but also graduates with high moral upbringing.
Norsida Akil, 14, one of the graduates, shared how glad she is to finally complete her elementary education.
She said that without Brac she may not be able to experience attending the graduation rites.
“Malayo po ang bahay namin sa school kaya dati nawalan na ako ng pag-asa na mag aral pa kaya laking pasasalamat namin dahil nagkaroon ng Brac learning center sa barangay namin,” Norsida said.
Norsida is from Barangay Olas in Sultan Kudarat.
Brac has been tapped by the Australian government to implement the Alternative Delivery Model component of the Beam, which aimed to provide children in the remote areas access to education especially where public education system is inaccessible.
Since 2012, Brac has established 2,108 learning centers including seven floating schools, and reached over 60,000 children.
This year, a total of 1,301 Brac learners completed their elementary education. (with reports for bpi)
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