Budget Dept. releases P251.6M for Muslim schools

The Budget Department has released P251.6 million for the Education Department to fund the Madrasah Education Program, aiming to benefit madrasah or Muslim education, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad said Wednesday. “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 in a statement. The Madrasah Education Program consists of three components: Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) in public schools, ALIVE for Muslim out-of-school youth and adults, and assistance to private madaris (the plural form of madrasah). The Office of the Education Secretary will receive P173.25 million, while different school division offices will get a portion of a P78.35-million allotment to cover the allowances of asatidz or Muslim teachers, the Budget Department said. Under the Madrasah Education Program, Muslim teachers need to undergo training “to raise the quality of delivery of ALIVE subjects," Abad added. — PE/VS, GMA News