📌BTA Second Regular Session No. 50
January 26, 2021
Highlights:
☑️The plenary tackled Committee Report No. 44 submitted by the Committee on Basic, Higher, and Technical Education on Proposed Resolution 83 or the “Resolution Profoundly Requesting the MBHTE to Highly Consider for the Inclusion in the Curriculum of Elementary and Secondary Education the Life and Teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW)” authored by MP Atty. Paisalin Tago.
☑️During the sponsorship speech, it was pointed out that students in the Philippines are used to Western education. We know more about the life and teachings of Jose Rizal compared to the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Many MPs also raised points about how now, children and the youth are looking for role models, and rather than celebrities, it would be good if they could look to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a model.
☑️MP Nabil Tan shared his experiences how in some private schools, when Christians were having their Theology class, the Muslim students would be left alone. He emphasized that the benefit brought about by the resolution would not only be for today, but for a lifetime. On the discussion on how the resolution would apply to private schools, some MPs raised suggestions that the MBHTE advise private schools to provide the subject for their Muslim students.
☑️MP Mawalil raised clarificatory questions on what would be the specific set-up, while expressing support for the resolution. He also asked the extent of the MBHTE’s participation in the preparation of the curriculum and the materials. The Vice Chair for the Committee on Education, MP Atty. Ras Mitmug answered the queries. In the past, the MBHTE’s involvement would be to contextualize materials provided by the Department of Education, but now it may be able to produce local materials.
☑️MP Saliga raised a query whether the education on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would be taught to all. MP Mitmug replied that the Prophet Muhammad would not just be taken as a religious figure, but also as a historic figure. Similarly, there was an assurance that the resolution would not violate the Constitution. MP Saliga also expressed the hope that IP historical and cultural figures may be also studied in the Bangsamoro curriculum to foster deeper understanding.
☑️MP Prof. Eddie Alih emphasized that the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) should be treated as a separate subject, and that the Prophet is the best model for humankind and that there are researches that would show that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the most influential person in the world.
☑️There were also discussions whether it would be better to wait for the passage of the Education Code and incorporate the substance of the resolution in the code, or to pass the resolution right away. MP Ampatuan mentioned that the resolution did not pose a drastic change to the current situation, so the resolution could be passed without waiting for the Education Code.
☑️During the period of amendments, some MPs proposed to include tertiary education in the coverage of the resolution, and to use the word ‘mandate’ in relation to the MBHTE, with respect to the substance of the resolution.
☑️MP Atty. Maisara C. Dandamun-Latiph proposed to remove the word ‘profoundly’ and to include technical education in the coverage of the resolution.
☑️All of the amendments were approved, and Committee Report 44 was approved by the plenary.
☑️Committee Report No. 47 on Proposed Resolution 193 or a “Resolution Calling for the CHED National to Expedite the Process of Conversion of the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College into a State University” authored by MP Dr. Susana Anayatin and MP Mohagher Iqbal was approved. MP Anayatin delivered her sponsorship speech.
☑️The plenary then moved to the Business of the Day. Proposed Resolutions 376 and 378 expressing profound sympathy, sincere condolences, grief, and sorrow on the passing of Deputy Chief Minister and Secretary-General of the Moro National Liberation Front, Member of Parliament Honorable Abdul R. Sahrin, were consolidated and approved.
☑️Proposed Resolution 320 on “Recognizing the International Day of Girl Child and Supporting the Advancement of Girls’ Rights in the BARMM” authored by MP Bainon Karon was treated as a simple resolution and approved.
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