COTABATO CITY – The Bangsamoro Parliament is eyeing the approval of the proposed Bill No. 70 or Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC) this week, according to Speaker Atty. Pangalian Balidong.

“We expect the Bangsamoro Education Code to be passed this week after the deliberations in the plenary,” Atty. Balindong said, noting that BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Ebrahim requested a special session on Tuesday, May 18.

During the three-year transition period, the said code is one of the most important legislative measures that the parliament must enact.

The Bangsamoro Government is required, under the Bangsamoro Organic Law, to establish, manage, and support a complete and integrated system of quality education, which shall be a subsystem of the national education system.

It should also develop an educational framework that is relevant and responsive to the Bangsamoro people’s needs, ideals, and aspirations while adhering to the minimum standards set by the National Government.

The proposed code filed by the Government of the Day covers and governs learning systems within the Bangsamoro region such as formal, non-formal and informal learning systems, public and private learning institutions in all levels—Basic, Higher, and Technical Education and will be collectively referred as the ‘Bangsamoro Education System’.

BARMM Education Minister Mohagher Iqbal said that the education code reflects the Bangsamoro people’s distinct historical identity and ambition to build a future where all residents of the region can live together in justice and peace.

“The Bangsamoro government envisions an education system that focuses on developing learners or students, where competent teachers use a relevant and adaptive curriculum, schools are well managed and become safe and creative spaces for learning,” he added.

Minister Iqbal filed the proposed education code to the plenary in October of last year. The committee also held a series of consultations with academe, experts, non-government organizations, civil society organizations, local government units, provincial committee on education, madaris associations, and tribal leaders.

The committee report with the consolidated issues, concerns, recommendations, and positions of resource persons will be presented before the plenary at the special session on Tuesday. (Publication and Media Relations Division, BTA)