From the Community, For the Community
By BRAC International
Marlon Severo, 37, a Teduray from North Upi, Maguindanao, believed that education is one of the best ways to achieve success in life. A hardworking individual who never gets tired of helping his community, he shared his story of how he became part of Abot Kaalaman sa Pamilyang Pilipino (AKAP) Bangsamoro Program, a flagship program of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE).
In alignment with the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the Education Code, the Bangsamoro Government continues to prioritise the delivery of quality, inclusive education to all children in the farthest communities in BARMM. AKAP aims to provide contextualised and relevant educational intervention for school-aged children in identified school-less and marginalised barangays across the Bangsamoro region.
AKAP was launched in 2020 with support from the Australian Government through the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao (Pathways) Program, in partnership with BRAC Philippines, the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS), and other local organisations. During the school year 2022 to 2023, 6,899 learners were enrolled in kindergarten, grades 1 and 2. The number of facilitators also increased to 277. Moreover, the Ministry invested PHP 18 million in AKAP, covering the salaries of 186 learning facilitators and a school-based feeding program.
THE START OF A DREAM
Marlon is one of the first people in his community to finish college. While he could have opted for greener pastures in for instance, the private sector, he decided to go back to his hometown to teach and join AKAP as a project organiser.
Marlon has fought for the disadvantaged to have access to quality education, ensuring that “no child in the Bangsamoro would be left behind,” as envisioned by the MBHTE.
Not all Indigenous peoples (IP) communities have access to quality education, and Marlon witnessed first-hand the impact of a lack of school access and and insufficient educational background.
“It was my dream in life to finish my studies and to succeed in life,” he shared. Marlon understands the value of education and thus has committed himself to prioritising education delivery where needed.
As an AKAP project organiser, Marlon is responsible for assuring that competent learning facilitators are available in the communities assigned to him, thereby allowing better access to education for communities. “Now, children will not need to walk great distances to go to school. Parents will also become more motivated to send their children to school because now, there is one near them,” Marlon explained.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR EDUCATION
BRAC began its operation in the Philippines in 2012, providing opportunities to people and communities who belong to the impoverished sectors in the country, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) region. Like Marlon, BRAC provides access to education to the children in the region. It also provides hope and a chance for individuals who seek better lives and futures. BRAC envisions a world free from all forms of exploitation and discrimination where everyone has the opportunity to realise their potential.
BRAC Philippines’ Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) project from the former Basic Education Assistance in Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM) program, helped provide out-of-school children ages five to 12 years old with access to basic education through BRAC Learning Centers. BRAC Philippines reached 65,990 learners through 2,108 Learning Centers in the five provinces of BARMM over seven years. Marlon joined the initiative in 2013.
Through the ADM project, BRAC’s approach has been to identify education access problems and help alleviate the educational dilemma experienced by the children of the school-less communities in the Bangsamoro Region.
RIPPLING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY
Marlon shared that his teaching aspirations were inspired by the AKAP program. As a project organiser, he can talk to the children, constantly reminding them to study hard. He always emphasises that having an education will give the children better work opportunities in the future, and eventually help their families.
Furthermore, Marlon’s hard work and dedication has inspired parents, allowing them to see the importance of education and how it can benefit their children and bring a brighter future for their community.
Due to his contribution, Marlon is respected by the children, their parents and his friends in the community. Often called “Sir Marlon” by the people in the community is humbling, he says smiling. He is always reminded of his original dream to do something good for his community.
From small things, little things grow.