By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay
In San Jose de Buenavista, Antique, the DepEd Schools Division intends to launch Madrasah Education for Muslim secondary students in the academic year 2024-2025. Dr. Eleanore Dagala, the DepEd Antique supervisor for Aralin Panlipunan, revealed that two San Jose de Buenavista schools have been instructing elementary students in Arabic language and Islamic Values.
This is part of the inclusive program for Muslim learners in the province through the support of Dr. Nicasio S. Frio, Schools Division Superintendent.
Starting this coming school year, these two subjects will also be open to secondary learners, Dagala said.
“This school year there are 55 Muslim learners at the San Fernando Elementary School and 85 at the Gov. Santos Capadocia Memorial School that are taking the Madrasah Education,” she said. Each subject is taught for one hour daily.
With the opening of the Madrasah Education at the secondary level this school year, Dagala said Muslim teachers would be hired to teach Arabic Language and Islamic Values.
The opening of the Madrasah Education at the secondary level will provide competencies of a higher level to the learners and strengthen their values including perseverance, love for peace, gratefulness, and a sense of responsibility.
In a separate interview, Muslim college student Esmail Guro Rimpa said he was grateful that Antiqueños respected their tradition as they were able to celebrate Eid’l Fitr or end of Ramadan peacefully.
Rimpa along with several other Muslims gathered at Barangay 3 plaza in San Jose de Buenavista to celebrate Eid’l Fitr.
Rimpa’s family originated from Marawi City in Lanao del Sur. (With a report from Nildz Kate Millondaga PNA OJT/ PNA)
