As part of the implementation of the refined Tahderiyyah curriculum, 394 madrasah administrators underwent series of orientation activities that were geared towards their understanding and appreciation of the Tahderiyyah education program.

Tahderiyyah Curriculum is one of the three components of the Tahderiyyah Program currently implemented by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF. Facilitators of this activity were composed of trainers from BDA, representative from Community of Learners’ Foundation (CoLF), and staff from BDA Central Management Office (CMO).

The orientation commenced on December 9, 2014 at Central Mindanao, followed by Southern Mindanao, Davao, Ranaw, Zamboanga Peninsula, Zamboanga-Basilan regions and ended on December 23 at Sulu-Tawi-Tawi region.

Message of BDA regional managers

In each region, the BDA regional managers have common encouragement to the participants reminding them of the importance of education as solid foundation and in developing the values of the Bangsamoro children. The regional managers stressed that the curriculum is responsive both to the universal and balanced education as envisioned by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) for the Bangsamoro.

Further, BDA regional managers urged the madrasah administrators to take the responsibility and demonstrate their roles by ensuring that Madrasah administration shall move forward towards the vision wherein Bangsamoro children are totally developed, inspired and committed to excellence and servant of Allah (SWT).

The orientation activity

During the activity, participants learned the contents of the refined curriculum with the highlight on their role as administrator.

Participants also joined series of workshops that were part of the orientation.

Inputs on water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) and child protection were also provided to the participants.

Through the activity, the administrators are enlightened of the real objective of the Tahderiyyah Curriculum Program (TCP).

According to Mohammad Alon, TCP coordinator, the orientation helped promote the understanding of the madaaris heads on the balanced education that the program is targeting for the Bangsamoro children.

“We have to make them understand of the program objectives because some issues before claimed that TCP is shifting the traditional madrasah education and it promotes secular education. This issue led towards lack of support of our administrators to the program,” Alon explained.

“Now that they and appreciated the program and understand well, we can expect their ownership and support, and help us (BDA) promote and advocate further the TCP in their respective area of responsibility.”, Alon added

MILF Tarbiyyah participation

As important stakeholder of the TCP, the BDA ensured the presence of the provincial chairmen of the MILF Tarbiyyah (education) Committee during the conduct of orientation in all regions. The concurrence of Tarbiyyah committee in the refinement of Tahderiyyah curriculum is highly material.

Tarbiyyah committee commended the BDA thru its Tahderiyyah Program for implementing the TCP. They said that this is a big help in molding the best foundation of the Bangsamoro children as good citizen and enlightened leaders in the future.

Accordingly, the Bangsamoro is starting it right this time with the balanced education being introduced in the Tahderiyyah curriculum in which Bangsamoro children are learning both Islamic and secular knowledge.

The enhanced curriculum

The enhanced curriculum intends to improve the balanced education promoted by the program to Bangsamoro children. The previous curriculum was designed only for five-year old children while the current fits for children three to five years old.

TCP introduces play-based approach of teaching wherein the mental and physical ability of child is stimulated that helps towards effective learning.

TCP is supported by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) Australia (then AusAID). The curriculum was jointly developed by Talaynged Foundation, Inc. (TFI), CoLF, and BDA.