By Samira Gutoc
Soul, mind, heart and body, these are the four that compose a whole educational target for Muslim education.
In the Bangsamoro Education Code Consultation I attended in Iligan City, I was fortunate to see and hear the views of Islamic education administrators of the new BARMM Government.
In 15 years or the near future, we hope to upgrade the educational system in this natural-resource rich region to entice enrolees from afar, the way Mindanao State University (MSU) has seen high enrolment from across Mindanao.
I posed the value of being able to be relevant to non-Muslim students the way we Muslims have enrolled our children and appreciate Catholic schools. After all, we recall that Islamic thinkers such as Averroes have been forefront in science and mathematics in Europe’s Renaissance once upon a time.
Madrasah education if programmed to attune to the times expanding beyond Islamic theology and Arabic language can actually attract non-Arabic speakers in the future. Madrasah is an Arabic name for school (Madaris is the plural form). The madrasah is a community-based and community-managed school where the teaching is focused on the Qur’an, Islam and moral education. This education preserves the Islamic faith and culture/identity of Muslim learners.
In implementing reforms, DepEd Order No. 51 series of 2004 was issued, which came up with the following road map: * Development of Madrasah Curriculum for Kindergarten (Tahderiyyah) * Implementation of the Madrasah Curriculum in the elementary level * Development of the Curriculum in the secondary level * Professionalizing the Asatidz through the Accelerated Teacher Education Program now on its fourth cycle .
Ten years after the reforms: * Educators, managers, and decision-makers must continue to involve the community and establish strong linkages among the parents, and other stakeholders. * That inclusive education means a relevant and meaningful education in the eyes of the learner thus the SIP must include the Community in planning for the educational needs of the learners (Community Engagement Approach in Planning).
