IAG identifies the issues and challenges confronting traditional Muslim schools in Mindanao in its latest study set for release on August 22nd.  

 

The “Research on Traditional Madaris in ARMM and Adjacent Regions” aims to provide baseline information to promote the use of data and evidence in crafting public policies on traditional madaris in the Philippines and in the evolving education system of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

 

Madaris (singular: madrasah) generally refers to Muslim private schools with core emphasis on Islamic studies and Arabic literacy.

 

Currently, there are four types of programs offered by madaris: the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) for Filipino Muslim learners enrolled in the public schools nationwide; private madaris recognized by the Department of Education; tahderriyah or kindergarten schools established in MILF communities with the UNICEF-BEAM Program for 3-5 years old children, and the traditional madaris that are operating outside the Philippine educational system.

 

Traditional madaris, the study contends, are the most important educational institutions in Muslim Mindanao since they are looked up to not only as schools of learning but also as symbols of Islam. For the Moro people, they are the proper place to learn Islamic teachings and study Arabic language.

 

From June 2018 until the second quarter of 2019, IAG gathered stakeholders’ perceptions on the role of madaris in socio-economic, cultural, and political development, and in peace and security. It elicited suggestions for the improvement of the traditional madaris and the stakeholders’ vision of education for the Bangsamoro and traditional madaris.

 

Research activities included a census of 1,850 traditional madaris; survey of 169 madaris, using a multi-stage random sampling design, with census as the sampling frame; six focus group discussions with madrasah leaders, madrasah alumni, parents and community members; and 21 interviews with knowledgeable members of the academe, national, regional and local government, civil society organizations and the security sector.

 

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The output of these activities is a 117-page report outlining the key findings of the study and the policy and program recommendations on how to enhance the traditional madaris so they can contribute to the development of peaceful and prosperous communities.

 

IAG will launch the full report in Manila on August 22, Cotabato City on August 28 and Zamboanga City on September 11.

 

The study is an Australian aid initiative implemented by IAG on behalf of the Australian Government.