Delivering Education in Tawi-Tawi Across the Sea
By Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS)
“Panuntut kaw Ilmoh ha supaya, kasanyangan in susungun (Educate yourself so that there will be a brighter future).” -Princess Rabea
Women are often appreciated for their role as nurturers, something that plays a big part in the implementation of the Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Bangsamoro (AKAP) program. In Tawi-Tawi, female members of KAPED KA Civil Society Organisation (CSO) SA AKAP BANGSAMORO work as project team leaders and members, learning facilitators, and community volunteers to support the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) in making education accessible to school-less barangays.
KAPED KA CSO SA AKAP BANGSAMORO is CBCS’ accompanying program to AKAP Bangsamoro, MBHTE’s flagship program, helping to provide access to education for learners in kindergarten all the way up to Grade 3. In 2022 alone, the number of AKAP barangays in the BARMM increased from 93 to 106. AKAP is supported by the Australian Government through the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao Program (Pathways), in partnership with the Department of Education and the MBHTE.
One of the women advocating for access to education is Princess Rabea E. Habie-Abduhalim, 26, Project Officer for KAPED KA CSO sa AKAP BM of Assembly of Masses and Basic Sectors for Unity and Harmony Initiatives for Normalization and Advancement for Human Security (AMBUH- INAH).
AMBUH-INAH is one of the seven CSO partners of CBCS implementing the KAPED KA Project working with the Tawi-Tawi MBTHE Division. AMBUH-INAH aims to develop resilient communities, empower unserved and underserved communities through education, health, livelihood. Moreover, it hopes to connect and render services from local government areas (LGA), non-government organisations (NGOs), and local government units (LGUs).
TACKLING CHALLENGES HEAD ON
A Tausug, a wife, and a mother of two children, Princess Rabea balances her time for her family and development work. “Marrying early and raising a family are quite a change from being a single and carefree woman. Time management is important to be able to perform my tasks as a wife, as a mother to my children, and as head of this project. It is a continuous challenge for me,” Princess Rabea shared.
For Princess Rabea, the words of appreciation from local parents and children amplify the results of her hard work. They also encourage her to always do better. “We all know that every Bangsamoro child, like I do, shares the dream of having a better future,” Princess Rabea said.
”Being a project officer for AMBUH-INAH, I see the efforts of our Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM), helping learning facilitators and community volunteers to overcome barriers to access education.”
At times, education personnel have to sail across the sea which can become very rough — not to mention mastering shaky gang planks while adhering to COVID-19 protocols!
Other teams need to hike mountainous terrains, cross swollen rivers, and travel to islets to reach parents, local government units (LGUs), and other stakeholders.
ADM Learning Facilitators (with technical guidance from MBHTE Catchment Schools and BRAC International, a CSO co-implementer of AKAP BM), have even conducted classes in vacant or abandoned houses and barangay centres. Or, as in the case of Brgy Lamion, Bongao, in floating cottages! Thanks to its unique set-up, the Lamion learning centre was renamed ‘Lamion Floating Learning Center.’
The effort to deliver access to education and contribute to peace across the region is no easy task.
A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE CHILDREN OF BANGSAMORO
The work at hand is difficult, but Princess Rabea is driven to keep going. She sees her younger self in the learners they serve, sharing her dream for a better life. This dream drives the children and their parents to be patient in learning how to read and write.
“Whenever a child succeeds in reading and writing, I am also happy together with their parents and communities. I believe this is our road to peace, because education provides these children the foundational path to change,” she explained.
Princess Rabea’s goal is to transform six AKAP BM barangays and other school-less communities in Tawi-Tawi. Through AMBUH-INAH, she wants the communities to have their own primary schools so that the children will have nearby access to education. These endeavours align with the MBHTE’s vision to provide quality and inclusive education for all children in Bangsamoro.
“Though tired, the community’s warm welcome gives us a strong reason to go on. Together with parents, teachers, communities, I want to these children graduate,” she said smiling.
“Panuntut kaw llmoh ha supaya, kasanyagan in susungun (Educate yourself so that there will be a brighter future).”