“I promise to pray five times a day”, this was the commitment of Sittie Edres, a high school student of Datu Siang National High School, Cotabato City.

Sittie is among the participants to the training of trainers (TOT) on Values Transformation Training (VTT) conducted on November 6 – 8, 2013 in the said school by the Bangsamoro Development Central Mindanao (BDA-CenMin) Region.

She, along with 27 other participants was among this batch of trainees who appreciated the essence of applying Islamic concept in their daily lives. Aware of the fact that they know the concepts, their environment seems to hinder them in applying Islam in their way of living.

Accordingly, even if they learned concepts in Islam, they find it very hard to as apply it in their way of life. During the training, they shared that they encountered dilemma either to struggle in obtaining higher grades or to please Allah (SWT). This happens because most extra-curricular activities in school that are bases for scholastic excellence are contradictory to the teachings of Islam.

Through the VTT, the participants were able to discuss and share the problems they have been encountering in the school such as bullying, non-wearing of hijab for Muslim female students, and among others. Upon sharing and discussions, they talked about and identified solutions that they students can do to address those concerns.

“I am happy that there are high school students in the city who have undergone this training”, Hashim Manticayan, Regional Manager of BDA Central Mindanao Region. “The involvement of the youth in activities like this at this early age will be very beneficial because you still have a long way to.”, Manticayan added. “We hope that more high school students will be able to undergo the same training”, he further said.

The conduct of this training is part of the Formation Program of the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Department of Datu Siang Highschool. According to Ms. Maribel Paris, DSNHS Assistant Principal, it is through VTT that they jumped off their program. Glad of the output of the program, she congratulated the student trainees for participating in the said training.

VTT is among the regular programs of BDA integrated into other programs as key component. It is aimed on developing pool of catalyst with enhanced knowledge, appreciation and understanding of Islamic teachings. This is conducted in accordance to the principle of BDA anchored in one of the verses of the Holy Qur’an that states: Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves (Surat al-Rad 13:11).

SittieEdres, student from Datu Siang National High School, trained on Values transformation.