DepEd offers Madrasah in Metro schools

Muslim students of public elementary schools in Metro Manila can now learn the Arabic Language and Islamic values in addition to the regular subjects like English, Math and Science.

After almost a year of deliberations and planning, the Department of Education has started implementing last Saturday its Madrasah program to selected public elementary schools with Muslim enrollees.

The offering of the curriculum is mandated by DepEd Order 51 issued under former Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, who highlighted the curriculum as a vital component of the education system.In Taguig City, where the biggest Muslim communities in Metro Manila are located, the program is being carried out in five schools, namely: Silangan Elementary School, Silangan I Elementary School (formerly Annex), R.P. Cruz Elementary School, Cardonez Elementary School and Tenement Elementary School.

Under the program, parents of Muslim students can opt to send their children to school every Saturday for free Islamic studies.

The pupils would be taught how to write and speak in Arabic, read the Qur’an, and learn about Seerah and Hadith, Ageedah and Figh, and other principles under Islam.

At least 60 hours of the term will be allocated for Arabic language studies and 40 hours for Islamic values.

"Parents have been waiting for this program. Some of them told me that they feel neglected by the current education system," Silangan principal Remedios Antonio told reporters.

Antonio said more than 10 percent of their 3,668 students are Muslim.

In Silangan I Elementary School, there are just two or three non-Muslim students in a class of 50.

DepEd officials said the program would be pilot tested on Grade 1 pupils and will be extended, depending on availability of funds. Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The teachers, called Asatidz in Arabic, hired by the department were not required to have teaching licenses, but had to undergo a 22-day seminar.

They would be paid P3,500 in honorarium and an extra P1,000 for instructional materials provided by City School Board.

Antonio stressed that while there are parents who still hesitate to enroll their children in the program, there are some who want to join the students in classes.

"There are parents who requested that they be allowed to "sit in" because they also want to learn how to write in Arabic," she said.

As principal, Antonio has to report to work on Saturdays to monitor the program.

DepEd Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Manaros Boransing, who led the project’s kickoff in Silangan Elementary School, said they have allocated P100 million in funds for the program’s national implementation next year.

Boransing said they are hope the program reaches at least 1,800 Muslim students in Metro Manila communities, including Culiat in Quezon City and Quiapo in Manila.

Meanwhile, Taguig Mayor Freddie Tinga lauded education officials for coming up with the program.

"This program truly promotes national unity as it integrates our Muslim brothers to society. We should not discriminate them, but instead recognize that they too can excel in their chosen fields."