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(SDN) — Bangsamoro Education Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal has congratulated graduates in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), describing them as “not just graduates, but the future leaders and change-makers in the region.”
The Bangsamoro region, established in 2018 by the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) to implement the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), is made up of the provinces of Basilan, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, the cities of Cotabato, Lamitan, and Marawi, as well as the Special Geographic Area’s (SGA) 63 barangays or villages that voted “Yes” in a plebiscite in February 2019 to be under the BARMM jurisdiction. With the recent plebiscite at SGA, the BARMM now has eight new municipalities as residents voted “Yes”.
According to the Philippine Atlas BARMM has 4,404,288 people. It has 116 municipalities (plus eight newly established under the SGA: Basilan, 11 municipalities; Lanao del Sur, 39; undivided Maguindanao, 36; Sulu, 19; and Tawi-Tawi, 11. Its component cities are Cotabato (the regional center and capital) in Maguindanao; Lamitan in Basilan; and Marawi in Lanao del Sur.
Iqbal added the graduates’ accomplishment they share with the “collective efforts of our community.”
The head of the BARMM’s Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE), issued his congratulatory message on May 24, as he paid tribute to the graduates’ striving to complete their education amid all odds.
In relation with this, under his leadership at the MBHTE, one of the 15 primary ministries of the BARMM government headed by interim Chief Minister Al-Haj Murad Ebrahim, Iqbal has been putting in place several measures to raise the quality of education in the region.
For sure, the reform initiatives he has been implementing have helped the region’s students to lessen the odds they are facing since the defunct Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).
These include hiring of thousands of teaching and non-teaching personnel for MBHTE, scholarships, construction of new schools for much needed additional classrooms, distribution of countless MBHTE-designed armchairs, provisions for Information Technology (IT) equipment, tools and devices, Teachers’ Kits, Learners’ Kits, school supplies, and others.
Iqbal recognized the students’ struggles as they persisted in their studies.
“The journey you have embarked upon has not been easy, but it is through perseverance and dedication that you have reached this remarkable achievement. I cannot overstate the importance of studying hard. Education is the foundation for building a future filled with opportunities, growth, and success. It equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate life’s complexities and contribute meaningfully to your communities and the broader society.” (EDD K. USMAN)
Below is Iqbal’s full message to the 2023-2024 BARMM graduates:
Assalamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh!
My dear graduates, today is a momentous occasion that symbolizes your unwavering resilience, unyielding determination, and the countless hours of hard work you have poured into your studies. On behalf of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of you, for you have truly earned this.
The journey you have embarked upon has not been easy, but it is through perseverance and dedication that you have reached this remarkable achievement. I cannot overstate the importance of studying hard. Education is the foundation for building a future filled with opportunities, growth, and success. It equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate life’s complexities and contribute meaningfully to your communities and the broader society.
As you transition to the next phase of your studies or step into the professional world, remember that the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey. Your graduation is not the end, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with endless possibilities. Continue to strive for excellence, embrace lifelong learning, and remain curious and open-minded. Your education has equipped you with the tools to think critically, solve problems, and innovate. It has also instilled in you the values of empathy, resilience, and leadership, making you the future leaders and change-makers of the BARMM.
Education is pivotal in achieving peace, development, and prosperity in the Bangsamoro. The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, which has been with you every step of the way, is committed to improving the quality of education in the BARMM. We have worked tirelessly to create an environment that nurtures your talents and supports your academic and personal growth. We aim to ensure that every Bangsamoro child has access to quality education that prepares them for a bright and prosperous future.
As you move forward, remember that you are not just graduates, but the future leaders and change-makers of our region. Your success is not just your own, but a testament to the collective efforts of our community. Your achievements will not only inspire future generations but also play a crucial role in the growth and prosperity of our region. Stay true to your values, work hard, and never lose sight of your dreams, for they are the fuel that will drive the Bangsamoro region forward.
Once again, congratulations on your graduation. May Allah (SWT) bless you with wisdom, strength, and success in all your future endeavors. (✓)