UNICEF child care official visits Tahderiyyah site in Central Mindanao
According to Julie Maliga, coordinator of the Tahderiyyah Program, the purpose of the visit was for the UNICEF official to witness the Oplan Balik Tahderiyyah launched by the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) and partners which aims to get the schools ready for children this year.
The said visit was held at Madrasatul Nurol-Iman Al-Islamiyah, Romongaob, Timanan, South Upi, Maguindanao on June 09, 2016.
Chemba Raghavan, Regional Early Childhood Care Development (ECCD) Focal Point of United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Thailand thanked the parents, dedicated teachers and children for being a part of the program.
“I am here to share learnings from other countries that are doing similar things here in your country. I’m here to learn from you. I am looking forward to learn from all of you. I am very committed in helping country offices”, Raghavan stated.
In an interview by BDA-CenMin Communication Group, Raghavan shared that “ECCD focuses on supporting human development from conception to eight years of age; it includes hygiene, nutrition, education and development skills.
Biverly Bicaldo, ECCD Specialist also expressed thanks to stakeholders in the community.
“We are very much thankful for your presence. We see the support from you and we see the importance that you give for this program”, Bicaldo stated.
Hadja Salimbang Kandan, parent of Tahderiyyah pupil shared appreciation of the program.
“I see that this is really good in the development of the children. Aside from learning mentally and physically, they also learned spiritually. They have started to have fear in the oneness of Allah SWT”, Kandad said.
The Oplan Balik Tahderiyyah campaign kicked off on May 30 across the 335 schools in the six regions plus Sulu province of BDA.
In Central Mindanao, it started on June 4 at Madrasatul Bai Madayang Al-Islamie in Barangay Damawato, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao.
Naut Usman, Tahderiyyah Regional Coordinator in this region said that the activity aims to encourage parents to enroll their children for the upcoming school year 2016-2017.
“There is allotted budget for the activity per Tahderiyyah Center amounting 1,500 whether for the snacks of the parents or whoever attends the engagement; or for the improvement of the classrooms”, Usman reported.
Mussaid-din P. Dimapalao Alhaj, councilor of the municipality of this town stated that “this is a good way of showing the community that we are working together in preparation for the incoming school year.”
“Indeed, Tahderiyyah Curriculum makes the pupils globally competitive for it is a Balance Education Curriculum”, he added.
Usman Sandang, one of the parents expressed that Oplan Balik Tahderiyyah serves as reminder for the parents that the enrolment is approaching.
“Therefore, every parent must have to prepare for it and let us continue advocating for it”, he ended.
The Oplan Balik Tahderiyyah includes a short program that includes message and commitment of support followed by a joint cleaning, repairing, painting of Tahderiyyah centers. This will then prepare the classrooms to provide clean, healthy and convenient environment for children.
Currently on its Phase 3 implementation, the Tahderiyyah program has three components such as the education, child protection and water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH). It is supported by the DFAT Australia through the UNICEF.
The program provides trainings to teachers, education and learning materials, support to health facilities at schools, provision of hygiene kits, among others.
BDA CommGroup- Central Mindanao