Wednesday, March 12, 2014

MILF Chair Murad supports Bangsamoro education group

From the MILF Website (Mar 13): MILF Chair Murad supports Bangsamoro education group



Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al-haj Murad Ebrahim gave his full support to the creation of National Association for Bangsamoro Education, Inc. (NABEI) by hosting the group’s official launching Sunday, March 9 at MILF’s Camp Darapanan, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.
  
In his opening remarks, the group’s vice president RollyMapandi from Marawi City told Muslim private education leaders that during a courtesy visit of NABEIto Chairman Murad, the Moro leader encouraged NABEI to reach out to all existing Muslim private schools and madarisand the launching program would serve as venue to invite these schools and other education leaders to become part of the association.Based on its primer, NABEI envisions to be the think tank and prime mover of Muslim education in the Philippines.  It also serves as the official voice of the Muslim schools in the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Institutions (COCOPEA), the most influential educational group and umbrella body of all private schools in the country.

The MILF top leader, who served as guest of honor in the launching program, appreciated the efforts of education leaders for organizing NABEI which could serve as potential partner of the Bangsamoro government in delivery of quality education services to Bangsamoro children.  According to Murad, the association like NABEI “should have been organized long before” to help address poor condition of madaris (schools) and other Muslim-managed educational institutions. However, he described NABEI’s creation as “timely” in relation to current development in the GPH-MILF peace process and prospect of putting up new educational system in the Bangsamoro. He recommended to NABEI to form a technical working group to come up an educational system which would serve as input to members of future Bangsamoro assembly in designing a system of education for the Bangsamoro.    

Addressing Chairman Murad, NABEI President Dr.Ombra Imam asked MILF leadership to involve NABEI and private education sector in crafting the Bangsamoro Basic Law and designing future Bangsamoro education system. Dr. Imam lamented that education sector was left at the corner while numerous sectors were very much engaged in present peace efforts.  He reminded the participants on key principle in the Framework Agreement stating that “status quo is not acceptable” implying that education sector should have active role in Bangsamoro nation building.

“If we look at our neighbouring countries like Singapore and Malaysia, they are far advanced compared to the Philippines because of their highest regard on education,” emphasized by NABEI leader which gained approval from audience.  He suggested that a strong partnership between private and public education sectors should be established in the Bangsamoro as one best model to ensure delivery of quality services to all.

As a challenge to the MILF in changing the landscape, Dr. Thomas Sabal, President of Dar Al Uloom wal Hiqmah in Cotabato City said “We, in the NABEI, are convinced that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front keeps standards for leadership in terms of effectives, efficiency, and moral ascendency.  As its social responsibility, we truly believe it (MILF) gives high emphasis to education of the people as obligation for all in all levels of society.”

Commissioner Talib Benito of BTC also graced the occasion and presented a topic on new Bangsamoro education system.  On the part of Department of Education, Maguindanao II Schools Division Superintendent Bai Alibai Benito, representing DepEd-ARMM Secretary Atty. Jamar Kulayan, lectured on strengthening school governance for quality education.

More than a hundred education leaders from Lanao, Cotabato and Davao areas, representing their respective schools and organizations trooped to MILF administrative headquarters to attend the historic launching.  To manifest his strong recognition and support to NABEI, chairman Murad distributed NABEI certificate of membership to institutional, organizational, and individual members.  At the closure of launching, Aleem Mocktar Bato, principal of a private madrasah in Lanao del Sur, led the school leaders to pledge loyalty to the leadership of NABEI.
http://www.luwaran.com/index.php/welcome/item/873-milf-chair-murad-supports-bangsamoro-education-group

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