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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider BARMM launches peace course for learners

BARMM launches peace course for learners

Published Aug 9, 2025 03:09 pm
DAVAO CITY – The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) launched its first peace and justice blended course for Grade 7 learners on Saturday, Aug. 9.
OFFICIALS of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education receive a copy of the module during the launching of the Peace and Justice Education in Davao City on Saturday, Aug. 9. (Keith Bacongco)
OFFICIALS of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education receive a copy of the module during the launching of the Peace and Justice Education in Davao City on Saturday, Aug. 9. (Keith Bacongco)
The course – Finding Peace Within, Cultivating Peace Beyond: A Transformative Journey through Peace and Justice Education – will be taught as part of the learners’ Values Education subject.
Developed through the Supporting an Enabling Atmosphere for Children and Youth Network for Peacebuilding Goals (SENANG), this two-year project is a regional initiative by the European Union and Save the Children.
It is co-implemented by the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH).
MBHTE Director General for Basic Education Abdullah Salik Jr. said that there is a need for a contextualized framework to institutionalize peace education for learners.
“The initiative is grounded in the Bangsamoro Education Code's call for contextualized learning and is aligned with the regional K- 12 graduate attributes in building an empowered Bangsamoro with a strong moral foundation,” Salik said.
Save the Children Philippines Chief Executive Officer Alberto Muyot said that there have been many programs on peace and recovery since the Marawi City siege in 2017.
But this initiative is the first time that peacebuilding has been directly integrated into basic education, Muyot added. “It is thoughtfully contextualized with the Bangsamoro cultural foundations, making it deeply relevant and meaningful for learners.”
The seven-module online course will adopt a progressive implementation approach to pave the way for a more holistic and sustainable implementation of peace education, Salik said.
The course will be piloted this school year and be implemented in school year 2026 to 2027 for Grade 7 and expand progressively each year up to Grade 10 by school year 2029 to 2030.
Yul Olaya, chief of the MBHTE Curriculum and Instruction Division, said that they started the implementation in the Grade 7 because it is easier to integrate it in their curriculum. Olaya added that it will be expanded to higher grades in the coming years.
Johnny Balawag, MBHTE Director of the Basic Education, suggested that the peace and justice education be implemented even outside of the Bangsamoro region.
Balawag added that this curriculum is vital in correcting the historical injustices against the Bangsamoro people.
The launching included a three-day training of trainers’ sessions to prepare educators and school leaders for the pilot rollout of the course across selected schools.
Since 2023, Save the Children has worked closely with the ministry and SEAMEO INNOTECH to co-develop this course. “It builds on over 20 years of partnership supporting Bangsamoro children and youth, particularly those affected by conflict and displacement. “
In his message, MBHTE chief Mohaqher Iqbal said that it is a step forward in building a future grounded in peace, justice, and reconciliation.
"If the Bangsamoro is to realize genuine and lasting peace, it must confront the pain of the past. There is no true reconciliation without truth, and no meaningful healing without justice,” said Iqbal, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) peace panel.
He said that this program would also tell the story of the Bangsamoro that would highlight their history, culture, and contributions to the Philippine identity.
The launching of the program, Iqbal said, is more than just an educational program. “It is a transformative journey. The initiative in select schools across BARMM will help mold our learners into advocates of peace and justice, proud vanguards of their history and identity.”

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