Davao City – A total of 3,000 students have successfully completed their studies under the Madrasah Comprehensive Development and Promotion Unit (MCDPU) for School Year 2024–2025, marking a major milestone in the city’s efforts to preserve and strengthen traditional Islamic education.
According to Aleem Abdulrahman Caderao, Executive Program Director of MCDPU, the program plays a unique role in promoting traditional madrasah education for young Muslim learners in Davao City.
Unlike the Department of Education’s Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program, the MCDPU focuses specifically on preserving and advancing traditional Islamic teachings and values deeply rooted in Muslim communities.
“MCDPU is not only about education—it’s about culture, faith, and identity,” Caderao said in a statement to the City Information Office.
Established in 2021 under the administration of then Mayor Sara Duterte, the MCDPU was institutionalized to cater to the needs of Davao’s Muslim population. It provides both social services and access to a traditional madrasah curriculum designed to instill Islamic knowledge and values.
Currently, MCDPU operates 47 Madrasah Centers across the city, serving approximately 4,000 students. It is supported by 160 educators who teach nine subjects including Arabic language, Jurisprudence of Islam, Quranic Studies, and Muslim traditions. The curriculum also integrates lessons on peaceful coexistence and responsible citizenship.
Caderao highlighted the importance of Arabic literacy in understanding Islam, and encouraged both Muslims and non-Muslims to enroll in the program. He emphasized that education at the Madrasah Centers is offered free of charge.
“Arabic literacy is the key to Islamic literacy. If you are to live in Davao, we want to promote peace and order. Kinahanglan ma-educate gyod ta sa tama nga pagpanudlo sa Islam (We must be educated on the true teachings of Islam),” he said.
Enrollment for the upcoming school year will begin in the third week of April. Residents are advised to visit the nearest Madrasah Center for more information.
The MCDPU continues to be a vital platform in promoting authentic Islamic knowledge, fostering mutual understanding, and contributing to the city’s inclusive development.