The Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) component of the AusAID-funded BEAM-ARMM Program turns one year this week. Gracing the affairs and among the guests of ARMM were Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG, BRAC founder and chairperson, HE John Gomes, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the Philippines and Ms Elaine Ward, AusAID Counselor for Human Development.
Currently, BRAC ADM has 410 learning centers (292 preschool and 118 elementary cohort) with 11,868 learners scattered throughout the provinces of Lanao Sur, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi. Commencing SY 2013-14, additional learning centers will be organized in Sulu and Basilan.
During the anniversary program, Dr Mahabub Hossain, BRAC Exec Director, provided the overview of BRAC operations in Bangladesh as well as in 10 countries overseas. Dr Safiqul Islam, BRAC Education Director, explained the evolution of education services; while Mr. Nazrul Islam, BRAC Philippines Country Representative, spoke in detail the one-year gains operating in the ARMM.
HE John Gomes, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the Philippines informed the audience about long time engagement of Bangladesh in the Mindanao's peace process through the OIC.
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, KCMG, shared a "secret" to BRAC success. He related how in the beginning they benchmark the best education in the world and through a series of partnership brought these bests into their shores and integrated them into what is now BRAC education program. Sir Abed also made an offer to the ARMM Regional Government for scholarships in governance and education leadership at the BRAC University in Dhakka.
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| RG Mujiv Hataman welcomes guests to the 1st anniversary of BEAM-ARMM Alternative Delivery Model Project- BRAC Philippines, Feb 27, 2013 @ SKCC, ORg Complex, Cotabato City. (Photo c/o Ardan D. Sali) |
Honorable Mujiv Hataman, ARMM Regional Governor and Atty Jamar Kulayan, DepEd-ARMM Secretary, expressed the appreciation of a grateful region and admonish all partners to continue working together, to be steadfast and to put the children at heart.
Atty. Maisara Dandamun-Latiph, ASec for Programs, and who is directly supervising the ADM component of the BEAM-ARMM Program, expressed satisfaction over the level of collaboration and trust building within the project. She is also enthusiastic about the innovation within the project that has so far benefit the children in terms of being motivated going to school and participative in school learning.
