BARMM’s Madrasah Education Gets Boost with Australian Support during Educational Systems Orientation
By Con Castillo, Pathways
A significant stride towards educational advancement was celebrated on 4 April 2024 at the Em Manor Hotel, Cotabato, as the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education’s (MBHTE) Directorate for Madaris Education (DGME), with support from the Australian Government, launched new systems aimed at improving teaching and learning in madrasah schools across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The event marked the handover of ICT equipment and support materials of the Learning Delivery Information System (LDIS) and the Learning Resources Management and Development System (LRMDS). The LDIS and LRMDS are not just theoretical concepts, but practical tools aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of educators in Madaris. Furthermore, these systems are expected to play a crucial role in the implementation of the Quality Assurance system and support the Madrasah Balanced Curriculum Guideline and School-Based Management (SBM).
Professor Tahir G. Nalg, Director General for Madaris Education, underscored the potential of these developments in his message. “We are immensely grateful to the Australian Government and the Pathways program for their unwavering support. These systems are not just tools, but promising pathways to a brighter future for our learners,” said DG Nalg. He urged the attendees to fully embrace and sustain the LD and LRMD systems for the enhancement of Madaris Education, ensuring that the benefits reach all teachers and learners.
The turnover of ICT support was followed by an orientation to equip the MBHTE LD-LR team with the necessary skills to manage these systems effectively and provide them with the initial training to navigate the technological aspects involved. By the end of the event, the participants had gained a deeper understanding of the MBHTE LD-LR system and acquired the initial skills necessary for its operation.
The introduction of LDIS and LRMDS is part of a broader initiative by the DGME to meet the educational needs within the BARMM. In a significant effort initiated in May 2023, the Pathways program assisted the DGME in developing a comprehensive policy framework to enhance formal madrasah education. The workshop identified the need for 43 policies, prioritising 13 for implementation in public madaris by 2025. The LDIS and LRMDS mark a pivotal step towards achieving these educational goals.