Education Reform – 2005

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The Arabic language as a medium of teaching in Madrasas was recognized from 2004 onward. Department of Education Order Number 51 and ARMM RG Executive Order No. 13-A helped to upgrade and standardize the Arabic Language and Islamic Studies in madrasas and the teaching of secular subjects in those madrasas that wish to be recognized by Department of Education.1 As of 2005, the integration program for private Madrasas had not received any GRP funding according to the firm that was contracted with USAID to train teachers in Mindanao:

The recent DepEd Order No. 51 of 2004 orders a Standard Curriculum for Private Madaris that should incorporate basic education subjects into the daily schedule of private madaris. To date, however, the Standard Curriculum is only a policyÉ The Standard Curriculum, and a broader set of proposed guidelines known as a Roadmap for Upgrading Muslim Basic Education, has not yet received any government funding for implementation.2

It is unclear based on the accord and legislation whether the GRP is expected to fund the textbooks associated with the program: Standard Curriculum for Private Madaris. As of 2005, the funding for the printing of textbooks and teaching guides for the subjects ‘Islamic Values’, ‘Arabic Language,’ and ‘Islamic Studies’ for Grades 1 and 2 came from the World Islamic Call Society of Libya. It was also reported that the textbooks and teaching materials for Grades 3 to 6 were being prepared by a publisher for the years 2005 and 2006, but had not been printed.3

Education Reform – 2004

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In 2004, the development and institutionalization of madrasa education was approved by the GRP Department of Education under DepED Order No. 51. The ARMM also adopted the national standard curriculum in the same year with Executive Order No. 13-A. These two orders essentially bring Madrasa schools into the national fold for the first time by allowing them to apply for national funding.4

Education Reform – 2001

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Article 104 states that “the management and control, and supervision of the entire educational system in the area of autonomy shall be the primary concern of the Regional Autonomous Government.” The Republic Act no. 9155 (also called the Governance of Basic Education Act) was passed in August 2001. Section 13 of the act states that the ARMM is responsible for the educational system in the autonomous region. Republic Act 9155 made primary education compulsory and free for children age 7-13, and secondary education free but not compulsory.5

King and Guerra report that in 2001 the GRP implemented a decentralized approach to education with respect to the ARMM.6