SULU, Philippines — The Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has reaffirmed its dedication to educational excellence in Sulu. On Friday, December 27, the MBHTE, through its Directorate General for Madaris Education, renewed the contracts of more than 700 Islamic Studies and Arabic Language (ISAL) teachers for the first half of 2025.
This significant move highlights BARMM’s steadfast commitment to supporting Sulu’s educational infrastructure and promoting holistic development for its students, even in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to exclude Sulu from the Bangsamoro region.
Munshimar Nasarani, a high school ISAL teacher at Sulu National High School, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to continue teaching. “We are incredibly grateful to the BARMM because even though Sulu is no longer part of the region, they still gave us the opportunity to continue teaching,” Nasarani said in Bahasa Sug.
“We were worried that we wouldn’t be able to continue what we started. So this additional year of teaching will be a way for us to leave an even greater impact on the minds of the youth,” he added.
The renewal of contracts underscores the crucial role ISAL teachers play in nurturing Islamic values and providing comprehensive education to Sulu’s youth. It also serves as a testament to BARMM’s recognition of the importance of Islamic Studies in shaping the character and future of the region’s students.
This initiative reflects a broader commitment by BARMM to invest in human capital and uphold high educational standards, ensuring continuity in essential Islamic Studies instruction despite the altered political and jurisdictional landscape.
In keeping with its pledge to support the educational advancement of all Bangsamoro people, the renewal of these contracts is a tangible example of BARMM’s dedication to fostering a strong educational foundation across the region’s former and current jurisdictions.
As the first half of 2025 approaches, the renewed contracts signify hope and resilience for Sulu’s educators and students alike, reinforcing the region’s unwavering pursuit of quality education.