Armm education sector secures P3.93 billion ODA fund

COTABATO CITY -- The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) approved on September 18 the utilization of P3.93 billion in overseas development assistance (ODA) to finance a six-year education program in Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (Armm).

Improvement of the state of education in ARMM was among the top priorities program of the Aquino government, acting regional Governor Mujiv Hataman said.

He said that of the P3.93 billion budget, AusAid would be provide P3.57 billion.

In a statement released by Beam AusAid, it said that "the assistance package aims to improve management and teaching capacities through training of education heads and teachers; enhance learning environment through the construction and repair of classrooms and other school facilities and improve school health conditions through the construction of toilets and hand-washing facilities, among others."

"Training of school health personnel and teachers; improve livelihood opportunities through technical-vocational training for out-of-school-children and youth; and improve access to pre-school and elementary education through construction of community learning centers for elementary and support for preschool (programs), are also part of the package.”

Earlier, Hataman formed an anti-graft monitoring body to prevent the repeat what has been unearthed that “millions of pesos” in public funds were wasted on alleged construction of schools that did not exist.

Assistant Secretary Darwin Rasul of the region's Office of Special Concerns(OSC) said this time,the Department of Education in the ARMM has proposed the new funding program under Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (Beam-Armm).

Hataman said the new ODA funding program for the ARMM will be implemented in six year-period, from 2012 to 2018. (PNA)