DBM releases P251.6M for madrasah education

The Department of Budget and Management has released P251.6 million to implement the Department of Education’s (DepEd) madrasah program. The madrasah education is a system of education which emphasizes on Arabic literacy, Islamic values (universal moral values based on Islam), and the Islamic religion. Of the funds released to DepEd, P173.25 million will go to the DepEd Office of the Secretary Proper, while P78.350 million will be directed to various schools’ division offices to cover the allowances of Muslim teachers. These teachers have been trained under the program as part of government efforts to improve Madrasah education in the country. A total of 1,567 asatidz (madrasah teachers) passed the training in school year 2010 to 2011. Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said the funds released were aligned with the commitment of President Benigno Aquino III to uplift the standard of education of Filipinos. “Education is the central strategy of the Aquino administration for investing in the people and enhancing their opportunity to gain meaningful employment," Abad said. “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," he added. — JE, GMA News