Promoting Understanding and Collaborative Opportunities in Bangsamoro’s Madrasah Education Partners Forum
by Con Castillo, Pathways
The Madrasah Education Partners Forum was held on 18 July 2024 at the Dusit Thani Manila in Makati’s bustling financial and commercial district. The event, themed “Madrasah Education: Building Foundations for Lasting Peace,” was organised by the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) with significant support from the Australian Government through the Education Pathways to Peace in Mindanao Program and in partnership with the Department of Education.
The forum brought together a diverse assembly of education and development stakeholders, including representatives from the Philippine Government, the Indonesian Government, the Bangsamoro Parliament, the international community and diplomatic corps, the academe, madrasah administrators, civil society organisations, and the media. This inclusive gathering underscored the steadfast and committed spirit of collaboration and the broad interest in enhancing madrasah education in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal delivered the welcoming remarks, emphasising the importance of madrasah education in promoting peace in BARMM. He also highlighted how madrasah education reflects Islamic perspectives of “revealed knowledge” and “acquired knowledge.” Minister Iqbal expressed the unwavering commitment of the MBHTE and its partners to advance education quality and access in the region. Following his speech, BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim and Dr. Moya Collett, Deputy Head of Mission of the Australian Embassy in Manila, delivered keynote messages. Chief Minister Ebrahim stressed the importance of education in empowering Bangsamoro learners to become agents of change capable of breaking the cycles of violence and building bridges of peace. Dr. Collett’s message brought a sense of reassurance and confidence in the future of madrasah education, which the Australian Government proudly supports.
A vital feature of the forum was the MBHTE presentation of data that presented an analysis of BARMM’s education landscape. The MBHTE provided a comprehensive overview of the current state of education in the region. The Director General for Madaris Education, Tahir G. Nalg, then presented the Madrasah Education Strategic Plan’s (MESP) salient points and priority areas. The MESP outlines a strategic framework to improve madrasah education, focusing on four key areas: Access, Equity, Quality and Relevance, and Moral Governance. Each of these areas is critical for ensuring that madrasah education meets the needs of learners and aligns with the broader development goals of BARMM.
One of the forum’s highlights was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the MBHTE and the Universitas Islam Darul Ulum of Indonesia. This agreement signifies a new partnership to enhance madrasah education in the BARMM through collaborative efforts, including training and mentoring, research and development, and scholarships for madrasah learners. The partnership with Universitas Islam Darul Ulum, a respected institution, is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to the BARMM’s madrasah education system.
During the forum, participants engaged in a technical discussion on the MESP’s program on regional governance, madrasah-based management, and teaching and learning. This interactive session provided a platform for sharing experiences, insights, and suggestions, allowing stakeholders to reflect on the broader role of the MESP in guiding the future of madrasah education in the region.
The Madrasah Education Partners Forum served as a vital platform for discussing and presenting Madrasah education to a broader audience, ensuring that all stakeholders were well-informed and involved. It also highlighted the opportunities for future collaboration among various stakeholders committed to advancing education in BARMM, and therefore the Philippines, and building a foundation for lasting peace in the region.