P251-M for Filipino Muslims’ education released

Wednesday, July 13, 2011
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P251.6 million for the nationwide implementation of the Madrasah Education Program, which aims to enhance educational development of Filipino Muslims.
The program is line with the commitment of President Benigno Aquino III to uplift Filipinos’ standard of education, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said.
“Education is the central strategy of the Aquino administration for investing in the people and enhancing their opportunity to gain meaningful employment. At the same time, we need to mainstream and institutionalize Madrasah Education as part of the National System of Basic Education to promote lasting peace,” Abad said.
The Madrasah Education Program has three components: Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (Alive) in public schools, Alive for Muslim out of school youths and adults, and assistance to private Muslim schools.
About 893 public elementary schools nationwide have started to take on Alive classes.
The fund for the program will be released to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Of the fund’s total amoung, P173.25 million will go to the DepEd Office of the Secretary Proper, while P78.350 million will be released directly to the different Schools Division Offices to cover the allowances of Asatidz (Muslim teachers).
Asatidz under the Madrasah Education Program had undergone training to raise the quality of delivery of Alive subjects.
A total of 1,567 Asatidz passed the training in school year 2010-2011 and were deployed in the Alive classes with a monthly allowance of P5,000.
In line with the DepEd’s policy to decongest public schools by providing support to private institutions, financial assistance to 39 private Muslim schools have been granted since school year 2008-2009 with the amount of P5,000 per student.
Abad noted that there is a P48.4-million difference from the original fund request of DepEd of P300 million. The amount is supposed to cover the allowances for new Muslim teachers who still have to be hired by the DepEd.
He clarified the DBM is releasing the fund request based on actual requirements of the agency for its filled positions. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/13/p251-m-filipino-muslims-education-released-166692