Students in the Bangsamoro Stand Alone Senior High School started the face-to-face classes as school year 2023-2024 begins. The said school opened on August 18, 2023 at Brgy. Datu Balabaran, Tamontaka Mother in Cotabato City. (Michael Camsa/BIO)
COTABATO CITY—Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) reported a significant 17% increase in enrollments this school year in BARMM.
According to the latest data, a total of 1,258,253 students have enrolled in various public schools, including government-run Madaris (Islamic schools) and community learning centers. This is compared to the previous school year, which had only 1,038,662 students.
MBHTE considers this high number of students a ‘milestone in enrollment,’ with 219,591 more students, representing a 17% increase compared to the previous year.
Breaking it down by education level, there are 1,119,391 students in primary education, 63,565 in secondary education, 55,172 in Madaris or Islamic education, and 20,195 in higher education, across 4,635 schools, including community learning centers.
Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal emphasized MBHTE’s commitment to providing quality education and ensuring that “no Bangsamoro child is left behind” in terms of education.
“Our mission is clear—we will continue enrolling children until every classroom is filled with eager learners,” Iqbal said, hoping that every child will also enjoy their learning process.
Moreover, the Government of the Day has implemented the ‘Abot-Kaalaman sa Pamilyang (AKAP)-Bangsamoro’ program for learning centers, madrassas, and training centers, which brings classes to remote areas where there are no schools nearby.
Apart from that, MBHTE also actively engages the teacher, parents, and other stakeholders through awareness campaigns, community outreach programs, and other innovative strategies, aiming to haul children to schools.
The Ministry is also implementing the Matatag Curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd) amid challenges of equipping teachers and schools with needed educational technologies, especially in remote and underserved areas.
Improving access to quality and holistic education through strengthening the education system, including Madaris education is part of BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim’s Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda. (Johaira Sahidala/BIO)
