Asatidz/Mudarris or those who teach in Madaris (Islamic schools) in the Bangsamoro region can now hold permanent positions in the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) once they pass the ministry’s special eligibility examinations.
This is one of the salient provisions of the recently approved Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC). [Read: BARMM education code signed into law]
Section 104 of the BEC provides that the MBHTE shall develop and administer special qualifying examinations for permanent appointment to Mudarris positions in the ministry.
In coordination with the Civil Service Commission for BARMM, the MBHTE shall grant special license to those who passed the exam, provided that the granted eligibility shall only qualify the appointee to permanent appointment to Mudarris and shall not be considered as a substitute to second level eligibility, unless authorized by the national Civil Service Commission (CSC).
Graduates with latin honors from a recognized university or institution of higher learning in Arabic and/or Islamic Studies, whether local or international, may be exempted from the special qualifying exams and shall be deemed to have met the eligibility requirement for permanent appointment to Mudarris positions subject to applicable civil service rules on granting honor graduate eligibility.
“This is a test of autonomy given to the BARMM, na on the issue ng Mudarris, pwede na tayo mag-decide on our own,” said MBHTE Minister and Member of Parliament Mohagher Iqbal.
“Consultation with the CSC revealed the possibility of granting of special eligibility for as long as there is a law or legal basis allowing it, thus the provision on the BEC,” added Iqbal.
He emphasized that Asatidz/Mudarris is not one of the professions being regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and is not covered by Republic Act No. 1080 or the act declaring the bar and board examinations as civil service examinations.
He further said that Section 18, Article IX of the Bangsamoro Organic Law mandates the promulgation of qualification standards for Madaris teachers, and for this purpose the MBHTE shall propose QS subject to the approval of the CSC.
Under the BEC, the MBHTE “shall provide for the qualifications of Asatidz/Mudarris taking into consideration the relevant educational background such as but not limited to Tarbiyyah (Bachelor’s Degree in Education) and other relevant bachelor’s degree, eligibility, and proficiency in Arabic language and/or Islamic Studies of applicants together with their ability to read and write in English and Filipino.”
Moreover, all Madrasah school teachers in the Bangsamoro must “have subject mastery and pedagogical competence and must possess good personality and social and interpersonal skills. Further, teachers must have the capacity to address the needs of learners with special needs.”
Source: Bangsamoro Government
(Bangsamoro Information Office)
