Davao City, Philippines—In a determined effort to combat high dropout rates in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the “No Bangsamoro Child Left Behind in the BARMM” project has launched a two-day training on Project Proposal Making and Financial Management. The training, from December 16 to 17, 2024, is hosted at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City and targets participants from 13 pilot schools in Maguindanao del Norte.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) in partnership with the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) and supported by the World Bank, aims to empower school representatives, specifically the PTCA (Parents-Teachers Community Association) and the community, with the skills to design and implement tailored interventions that address the unique challenges faced by students and their communities.
Addressing Education Challenges in BARMM
The BARMM region continues to face significant barriers in education, with poverty, malnutrition, and lack of interest in schooling being among the leading causes of student dropouts. To tackle these issues, the project developed a Dropout Prediction Model based on data gathered from community mapping in 100 pilot schools. This data-driven approach provides a foundation for crafting solutions tailored to the needs of each school and its surrounding community.
“This training is a crucial step in equipping schools and communities to take charge of implementing solutions. We believe that localized, data-driven interventions will be instrumental in reducing dropout rates and ensuring access to quality education for all,” said Mr. Guiamel M. Alim, Chairperson of CBCS, during his welcome remarks.
Empowering Participants
The training brings together 39 participants, with three representatives from each of the 13 pilot schools. Over two days of intensive workshops, participants will learn how to develop project proposals, manage budgets, adhere to financial guidelines, and conduct monitoring and evaluation. Topics such as procurement processes and environmental and social risk assessments were covered.
Representatives from the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) and the World Bank underscored the importance
of collaboration and community engagement in achieving the project’s goals. “The future of BARMM’s education system depends on initiatives like this, where communities and schools are empowered to create meaningful change,” said Ms. Karthika Radhakrishnan-Nair, Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank.
Highlights of the Training
Participants engaged in discussions and workshops facilitated by experts from various fields. Sessions included: Introduction to project proposal guidelines and templates; hands-on workshops on financial reporting and procurement processes; Updates on BARMM’s education landscape, presented by an MBHTE representative; Environmental and Social Risk Assessment training to ensure sustainability and inclusivity.
The interactive nature of the training allowed participants to present draft proposals and receive immediate feedback, ensuring their outputs meet the standards outlined in the Sub-Grant Manual.
Overcoming Challenges
Despite its promising outlook, the training faces challenges such as scheduling conflicts due to the holiday season. Organizers have addressed these by ensuring flexible schedules and providing additional support to participants.
A Step Toward Sustainable Change
By the end of the training, participants are expected to be fully equipped to design and implement interventions that address dropout issues in their respective schools. These efforts align with the broader goal of the “No Bangsamoro Child Left Behind in the BARMM” project—to create sustainable, community-driven solutions that ensure every child in the region has access to education.
The event concludes on December 18, marking another milestone in the collaborative efforts to transform BARMM’s education sector. With the support of CBCS, MBHTE, and international partners like the Japan Development Social Fund (JSDF) and World Bank, the region takes another step toward a future where no Bangsamoro child is left behind.
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