29 November 2024, DAVAO CITY – The Bangsamoro Government, in partnership with the Australian Government, has proudly launched Isla Maganda, a powerful 20-episode animated and audio series for Kindergarten to Grade 3 learners. The series aims to deliver high-quality and inclusive education to almost 90,000 children in the Autonomous Region’s remote areas.
During the second day of the 2024 Bangsamoro Education Summit, Minister Mohagher M. Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) accepted the Isla Maganda teaching and learning materials from Australian Embassy representatives.
The Bangsamoro region has the lowest literacy rates across 17 regions in the Philippines. Based on the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education’s 2021 Activity Baseline Results, the majority of Grades 1 and 3 students are performing below expected standard levels.
Featuring easy-to-use classroom materials, Isla Maganda teaches literacy, numeracy, Bangsamoro core values and peace education. It is designed to ensure that marginalized children have the foundational skills they need, and will help them to become responsible adults.
“I want to thank our friends from the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education for their ongoing efforts to drive innovation in education, ensuring all children have access to quality education, and creating a path to lasting peace and prosperity in the Autonomous Region,” said Australia’s Ambassador to the Philippines Her Excellency HK Yu PSM, FCPA (Aust).
Isla Maganda introduces young learners to complex concepts through engaging stories. It features local voice talents, relatable characters, and landscapes which reflect the rich cultureand diversity of the Bangsamoro region. Set on a Philippine Island, Isla Maganda (which means Beautiful Island) follows the daily adventures of five children from diverse backgrounds as they work together to solve different problems.
The Australian Embassy provided technical assistance to the Bangsamoro Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education in developing the Isla Maganda materials, tailoring them specifically to the Bangsamoro context. Together, they also developed teacher trainings focused on integrating the Isla Maganda materials into regular classroom lessons.
The Isla Maganda initiative aligns with the Bangsamoro Government’s commitments and key priorities stated in the Bangsamoro Education Code (BEC), which emphasise the need to integrate peace education and good governance in education. It also supports the Ministry’s 5Bs Program – Bawat Bata sa Bangsamoro Ay Bumabasa at Bumibilang (Every Child in the Bangsamoro is Reading and Counting) – aimed at bridging the learning gaps caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Minister Iqbal stated: “We recognise that far too many marginalised children are missing out on a quality education and, with it, the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We call on communities across the Bangsamoro to help spread the message far and wide, ensuring the initiative benefits as many children as possible. Together, we can empower children and ensure the peace and prosperity of our region.”
