By Assy Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, Chair, RLA Education Committee
Another positive news in ARMM. Australia recommits to the youth of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Team representatives of the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) through the facilitation of DepEd ARMM Assec. Noor Saada visited the Assembly yesterday to brief the RLA of the Philippine-Australia Bilateral Agreement (recently signed by Pres. Aquino in the last NEDA Meeting with ARMM OIC Gov Mujiv Hataman last Sept. 18) on the largest investment in education in ARMM through the Basic Education Assistance (BEAM) program worth about 80 million Australian dollars for 6 years. This engagement will start soon after meetings to be held with DepEd-ARMM and stakeholders.
After more than three (3) years of technical preparations, the Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM) will launch with the following components : Kindergarten and Basic Education (Kindergarten is managed by UNICEF), School Health (managed by GIZ and FfS), Technical and Vocational Education and Alternative Delivery Model (managed by BRAC Philippines).
BRAC (small community school) representatives (Country Rep from Bangladesh NAZRUL) also came. Asec Saada shared about the thrust of the partnership which has a long history of engagement in ARMM.
Madaris is one area of support. Systems management which I gladly took note of (as a legacy of the reform government) is also a priority.
Assemblyperson Mokudef Deonato (for IP sector) raised concern on programs for indigenous peoples in having their "teachers" (not necessarily LET passers) be able to teach.
Facilitators are the ones that can be tapped to teach in these community schools, which are found to have high passing rates in Bangladesh, said the AUSAID Rep.
Assemblyperson Basher Utto expressed gratitude in the continuing assistance of Ausaid.
Assemblyperson Rahima Alba's representative reminded of sustainability mechanisms to make communities continue the programs of education on their own.
Aladin (G-Watch) of the Speaker's Office reminded of ethnic and religious sensitivities of those assigned to teach in the communities.
We congratulate the Regional Government especially the DepEd ARMM on this successful engagement. We proposed CSO monitoring mechanisms which should be provided for and the importance of database (reconciling the list of GSIS, Dep-Ed National, DepEd ARMM, PRC) which has slowed down the process of reform.
