Education officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) led Monday separate groundbreaking ceremonies for the construction of seven school buildings in North Cotabato and Maguindanao as part of continuing efforts to improve the quality of education in the region.

The construction of the new school buildings is funded under the Transitional Development Impact Fund (TDIF) of Bangsamoro Transition Authority members Ali Salik and Engr. Aida Silongan.

In a radio interview here, Iqbal said new classroom buildings will rise in six schools in Pikit, North Cotabato, while one in Rajah Buayan town of Maguindanao.

“Each school gets PHP2.5 million worth of funds or a total of PHP17.5 million for all seven schools,” Iqbal said.

In Maguindanao, aside from the classroom building, the Sapakan Elementary School in Rajah Buayan town will also receive a flag pole, a handwashing facility, and a rainwater collector for stored water.

Iqbal said the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) is continuously determining other schools in the region that need development and assistance.

Iqbal said the construction of school buildings aligns with the region’s 12-point priority agenda towards promoting access to quality education and developing schools as a safe environment for learning and growth.

With the passage of the Bangsamoro Education Code in May this year, he said the MBHTE remained steadfast in embodying its banner of “no Bangsamoro child shall be left behind” as far as education in the region is concerned.

The BARMM comprises the cities of Marawi, Lamitan, and Cotabato; the provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi; and the 63 villages in six towns of North Cotabato. (PNA)