NextGen Day

In order to make the Philippine basic education system more accommodating and responsive to the variety of learning needs of Filipino students, House Deputy Minority Leader Representative Mujiv Hataman has introduced a bill that would require the inclusion of Arabic language or Islamic values education.

“Mayroon tayong diversity of learning requirements sa ating mga paaralan na kailangang tugunan, kung malaking bahagi ng ating populasyon ay mga Pilipinong Muslim. Layon ng panukalang ito na maging mas inclusive para sa mag-aaral na Muslim ang ating basic education system (If a significant portion of our population is Filipino Muslims, we need to have diversity of learning needs in our schools; this bill seeks to make our basic education system more inclusive),” said the sole district congressman of Basilan province on Monday.

Hataman has introduced House Bill No. 7130, also known as the “Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Act,” to formalize the Department of Education’s present program by the same name, which has faced financial and implementation difficulties.

Sen. Win Gatchalian has introduced a related bill in the Senate.

The former governor of the now-defunct ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao), Hataman, stated that “we need to recognize that our diverse cultural and religious backgrounds require a more responsive educational approach, and the ALIVE bill is one way of addressing that concern for Muslim students to ensure their full participation and the realization of their potential.”

He continued, “And the teaching of Arabic language and Islamic values education will also uplift the grade of enlightenment towards our Muslim culture and tradition so this is also a measure against discrimination based on religion. At ang pagtuturo ng Arabic language at Islamic values education ay makakapagpataas din ng antas ng kamulatan para sa kultura at mga tradisyon ng mga Muslim.

While Filipino Muslims are enrolled in both public and private schools in the Philippines, HB 7130 claims that many of them lack access to education that is in line with their cultural, traditional, social, and religious beliefs, particularly those who live outside of Muslim Mindanao’s Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

The proposed measure stated, “And as a part of the Filipino population, whose numbers vary between over 6 million and as high as 12 million, depending on the source of data, it is imperative that we incorporate Islamic education in all private and public schools, especially in cities and municipalities that have no accessible madrasahs for Muslim students.”

The primary goal of the bill, according to the congressman, is to force all public and private basic education schools outside of BARMM to institutionalize and strengthen the DepEd’s current ALIVE Program.

Both Muslim and non-Muslim pupils may choose to get instruction in Arabic and Islamic values; this is only permitted with the written consent of the parents.

According to Section 7 of the bill, “As an integral component of the ALIVE Program, the subject of Arabic Language or Islamic Values Education, or both, shall be taught to Muslim Filipino learners as well as to non-Muslim Filipino learners, at the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians of the learners.”

By creating an Office on Madrasah Education (OME) in the DepEd, to be led by the Undersecretary for Madaris, the measure seeks to ensure the effective, efficient, and seamless management of the ALIVE Programs. This office shall coordinate with the pertinent stakeholders for the proper implementation of the madaris education programs.

Additionally, it allows for the program’s integration into higher education levels.

According to the law, “the DepEd shall establish programs in collaboration with the NCMF, CHED, and TESDA to ensure the integration of the teaching of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language with higher and technical-vocational education system towards continuity of learning and creation of opportunity for basic education graduates in the country to harness their potential, pursue higher education, or seek employment.”

The legislation also aims to “promote national unity in diversity among Muslim and non-Muslim pupils” and enrich the educational system with “cultural and religious knowledge of the Islamic faith.”

However, according to HB 7130, “the (DepEd’s) ALIVE Program… experienced various hurdles, including difficulties in implementing the ALIVE curriculum; accessibility to facilities, textbooks, materials, and teachers’ training; funding for teacher wages, among others.”

For as long as the ALIVE Program is not implemented properly and correctly, Filipino Muslim students have to suffer from a lack of competent instruction in the Islamic faith while in a secular school. If HB 7130 is passed, it would, with the authority and mandate of a law, resolve all of those issues.

The bill also requires the creation of a roadmap that thoroughly and effectively outlines the ALIVE Program’s effective execution, notably addressing the problems with basic education graduates from madrasahs who lack the skills necessary for instant work.

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