AROUND 1,500 students and teachers from nine Islamic schools in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro, and Zamboanga will benefit from an insurance firm’s expanded Adopt-a-Madrasah program.
Wardah R. Abdulaziz, a teacher at Darul Khair Islamic Center, expressed her gratitude during a media interview on April 5, 2025, at Sunny Point Hotel.
She highlighted how the initiative is a major help for their community, noting that private support for Madrasahs has been rare.
“Masaya kasi kumbaga sa whole existence ng Madrasah wala pa kasing mga private na tumolong sa amin. Kasi in reality ang assistance ng LGU, ang assistance is may selective lang na Madrasah teachers sa honorarium (We’re happy because, in the entire existence of the Madrasah, no private entities have helped us before. The assistance from local government units is limited, and only select Madrasah teachers receive honorariums),” she said.
Abdulaziz added that donations of facilities are infrequent, making this initiative a significant step toward getting the support they need.
Lawyer Paul Mandal, Senior VP and Chief Legal & Sustainability Officer of Pru Life UK, expressed pride in the program’s expansion to more Muslim communities in Mindanao. He emphasized the program’s goal of helping students and teachers understand financial security, technology, and climate preparedness.
“Students and teachers appreciate the importance of financial security, technology upskilling, and climate and health preparedness as part of our sustainability implementation that seeks to deliver real-world impact and long-term resilience,” he said.
Pru Life UK will distribute learning modules on Islamic finance and Takaful education, focusing on Shari’ah-compliant financial services. They will also equip teachers with digital skills, including financial technology, and educate students about climate change and resilience.
The Adopt-a-Madrasah program initially launched on October 6, 2024, with donations of school supplies to around 450 students from three Madrasahs in Davao City.
A Madrasah is an educational institution focused on Islamic teachings, playing a key role in guiding students based on Islamic values. RGP