VICTORY — Faculty and Staff of Jamiatul Philippine Al-Islamia (JPI) is in high spirits following their declaration as Champion of the “School Practices in Balik Eskwela in time of COVID-19 Pandemic”, a contest sponsored by the Office of MP Atty. Maisarah C. Damdamun-Latiph. (GALao with photo by the Office of MP Latiph)

COTABATO CITY — The Office of Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) Member of Parliament (MP) Atty. Maisarah C. Damdamun-Latiph continues to support the education sector by giving assistance to the teachers and students of Lanao del Sur.

As part of the annual World Teachers Day celebration held every October 5, MP Latiph successfully conducted a month-long observance from September 2 to October 2, 2020.

“In order to recognize the efforts of school administrators and teachers during this time of pandemic and to bring attention to their difficulties, we conducted an online competition entitled ‘School Best Practices on Balik-Eskwela Program in time of CoViD-19 Pandemic’. The competition served as a consultative activity to identify the gaps and challenges our educators are facing, as well as to document best practices which can help in addressing those gaps and challenges,” MP Latiph said.

MP Latiph shared the activity was conducted to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers.

“This year, on World Teachers’ Day, we celebrated with the theme ‘Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future’. This is one of the significant activities held so teachers are acknowledged of their efforts and achievements. It is also a chance to amplify their voices calling for progress, attention to their concerns, and solutions to challenges they face in the teaching profession,” she added.

On October 5, 2020, submitted entries from different schools underwent judging by the jury. The winners were also announced on the same day as one of the highlights of the 2020 Teachers’ Day Celebration. Dama Elementary School in Butig, Lanao del Sur won as Champion, followed by Sugod-1 Central Elementary School in Tugaya as 1st Runner-up, and Pangandaman Central Elementary School in Masiu as 2nd Runner-us, all under the Elementary Category. In the College Category, Jamiatul Philippines Al-Islamia was awarded as the winner. Additionally, there were five (5) entries which received consolation prizes.

MP Latiph noted that each school presented their own unique solutions to address the gaps and challenges they are facing in their respective areas.

“Amidst the trying time our educators experience in the new normal in education, they continue to adapt the learning continuity plans to proceed with the learning process of our learners for School Year 2020-2021. All entries demonstrated creativity and adaptability of our educators despite all the challenges. Their initiatives to address gaps and challenges are all commendable, especially their efforts to sustain their best practices. We can learn so much from them,” the lady Member of Parliament stressed.

On the other hand, since education is vital to people to ensure their good future, MP Latiph came up recently with a program entitled, “Siyap for Education: Provision of Tablet and 5G Smart Sim”.

Through the program, the Office of MP Maisara Dandamun-Latiph distributed tablets to the vulnerable youth in Lanao del Sur. This move aims to lessen the problem of the lack of availability of gadgets.

“The education sector continues to experience challenges due to ongoing pandemic. Both teachers and students continue to suffer. The most affected ones are the students since they are vulnerable and need attention from their family and the government,” MP Latiph said.

MP Latiph emphasized that the new learning approach has affected the mentality of young people. Among the challenges that some young people are facing today include poor internet connection, lack of parent’s capacity to assist their children, and the most difficult problem that every student encounters – the availability of gadgets for their online learning.

Accordingly, this problem has tragically led to the deaths of some young people whose parents are unemployed or low-income earners. Not being able to provide for the additional needs of their children has doubled the difficulties being encountered by parents.

MP Latiph shared that the first recipients of the Tablet and 5G Smart Sim were 14 alumni of MP Latiph’s Advocacy and Policy, Development Training or APDeT.

“The beneficiaries were first year college students from public and private colleges in Lanao del Sur. This is to help and encourage the student-beneficiaries to continue their studies amidst the challenges of COVID-19,” MP Latiph said.

Mohammad Fayed, an APDet alumni, expressed his gratefulness on the assistance given by MP Latiph.

“This tablet will be useful for our educational needs. I am very happy to share this gadget with my siblings. Together we will fight the challenges of this online learning approach”, Fayed said. (GALao with reports from the Office of MP Latiph, Publication and Media Division, BTA Parliament)