A bill that seeks to institutionalize the teaching of Arabic language or Islamic values in the Philippine basic education system has been filed in the House of Representatives.
Deputy Minority Leader and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman has filed House Bill (HB) No. 7130, or the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) Act, aimed at making the country’s basic education “more responsive” to the diversity of learning needs of Muslim students.
The lawmaker pointed out, “Kung malaking bahagi ng ating populasyon ay mga Pilipinong Muslim, mayroon tayong (If Muslim Filipinos are a big part of our population, we have) diversity of learning needs sa ating mga paaralan na kailangang tugunan (in our schools that have to be addressed).”
“Layon ng panukalang ito na maging mas inclusive para sa mag-aaral na Muslim ang ating basic education system (This proposed measure aims to make our basic education system more inclusive for Muslim students),” he added.
Under HB 7130, the Department of Education (DepEd) is mandated to implement and strengthen its existing ALIVE curriculum in all public and private basic education schools.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has filed a similar bill in the Upper Chamber.
“We need to recognize that our diverse cultural and religious backgrounds require a more responsive educational approach, and the ALIVE bill is one way of addressing that for Muslim students to ensure their full participation and the realization of their potential,” Hataman, noting his proposal will likewise stop religious discrimination, said.
While Filipino Muslims are part of the Philippine education system, the bill stated that many “do not have access to education according to their cultural, traditional, social and religious beliefs, especially for those outside of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).”
“And as a part of the Filipino population whose numbers range anywhere from over 6 million to as high as 12 million, depending on the source of data, it is imperative that we incorporate Islamic education in all private and public schools, especially in cities and municipalities that have no accessible madrasahs for Muslim students,” it read.
The teaching of Arabic language and Islamic values education both to Muslim and non-Muslim students shall be optional or at the behest of the parents, whose approval is required in writing.
Section 7 of the bill states: “At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians of the learners, the subject of Arabic Language or Islamic Values Education, or both, shall be taught to Muslim Filipino learners, as well as to non-Muslim Filipino learners as an integral part of the ALIVE Program.”
“To ensure effective, efficient, and smooth management of the ALIVE Programs, there is hereby created an Office on Madrasah Education (OME) in the DepEd to be headed by the Undersecretary for Madaris. This office shall coordinate with the relevant stakeholders for the proper implementation of the Madaris programs,” the measure said.
It also provides for the integration of the program into the tertiary levels of education.
“The DepEd in collaboration with the NCMF, CHED, and TESDA, shall establish programs to ensure the integration of the teaching of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language with higher and technical-vocational education system towards continuity of learning and creation of opportunity for basic education graduates in the country to harness their potential, pursue higher education, or seek employment,” the bill said.
The measure also mandates the formulation of a roadmap that will comprehensively and competently lay out the effective implementation of the ALIVE program, specifically addressing the existing challenges including the gap in competencies of basic education graduates of madrasahs who do not have the skills for immediate employment.