DAVAO CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd-National) officially transferred the management and integration of the DepEd Cotabato City Division and schools in 63 barangays in North Cotabato to the Bangsamoro Government’s Education Ministry on Monday, December 28.
In a statement, the Bangsamoro Government said the "Schools Division Office (SDO) of DepEd-Cotabato City turned over a total of 83 schools, 43 of which are public, 39 private, and 1-State University/secondary school."
"North Cotabato turned over 103 schools which (comprised) 85 elementary and 18 secondary schools," it added.
Cotabato City division has 2,195 teaching personnel while the province of North Cotabato has 2,380.
During the ceremony held at the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex, Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City, Regional Director Allan Farnazo of DepEd-XII represented DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and handed over the documents to Minister Mohagher Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE).
In a video message, Briones said:“I have no doubt that we will have a rich and fruitful partnership. We will be working together and be considering the national interest as well as the historical, cultural, and distinct identity of BARMM expressed in its system of education.”
Meanwhile, Iqbal ensured that the turnover is timely as they are now finalizing the Bangsamoro Education Code, one of the priority legislations of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA).
“As long as we set aside our narrow interests and prioritize the welfare of the Bangsamoro education community and the general public, I am confident we will make significant and positive changes to the BARMM education system,” Iqbal added.