(From left to right) The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) Secretary Sister Ma. Marissa Viri, RVM; President Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ; Vice President Fr. Elmer G. Dizon; Br. Dennis Magbanu, FSCN, CEAP treasurer; and Fr. Rex Andrew Alarcon, Advocacy Commission Chair during a press conference in Davao City on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017. (Zea Io Ming C. Capistrano/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The largest association of Catholic schools in the country is planning to tie up with schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to train Muslim teachers to improve their teaching techniques.
“We are trying to craft programs primarily in order to be able to help their teachers. We wish to share with them the techniques of good teaching to help them improve the standards of their teachers,” Joel Tabora, president of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) said in a press conference here on Wednesday, September 27.
The CEAP met with the officials of the Bureau of Madaris Education, ARMM’s Department of Education, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to start the discussion of the plan.
“We have many schools where we have experts in education and we would like to share our expertise to our brothers and sisters in Muslim areas who, many say, can use this expertise,” said Tabora, also the president of the Ateneo de Davao University.
The CEAP can share their expertise to Muslim teachers with many schools of education, he added.
Through its advocacy in education, Tabora said they hope to promote a dialogue of peace in the southern part of the country.
Currently, CEAP is now on the third year of its Madaris Volunteer Program, which sends graduates to teach in madrasah schools.
The program is a platform for “intercultural and interreligious dialogue” between Christians and Muslims, Tabora said.
“We are very happy to report that the response to this program coming from both sides has been very positive,” he said.
According to its website, the program currently has 10 partner madaris in Cotabato City and Maguindanao province including:
• Madrasatul Al-Shellawe, Inc., Limbo, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao
• Ibn Taimiyah Foundation Academy Inc., Crossing Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao
• Dar Al-Uloom Wal Hikmah, Tamontaka, Cotabato City
• Madrasah Datu Manguda Timan, Sitio Pangi, Taviran, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao
• Hadji Ali Baganian Memorial School, Tambunan II, Talayan, Maguindanao
• Mohammad Bin Al-Dahirie Islamic Academy, Inc., Bagan, Guindulongan, Maguindanao
• Mahad Saada Al Arabie Integrated School, Nabalawag, Datu Salibo, Maguindanao
• Gani L. Abpi Colleges, Inc., Buayan, Datu Piang, Maguindanao
• Markaz Al-Husaim, Inc., Poblacion, Datu Piang, Maguindanao
• Datu Ibrahim Pendatun Paglas III Foundation, Inc. Poblacion, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao
The CEAP is in the city for its four-day national convention held at the SMX Convention in Lanang. Founded in 1941, the organization has 1,500 member schools across the country.(davaotoday.com)
