MAGUINDANAO (Mindanao Examiner / Mar. 11, 2012) – More than 2,000 people aspiring to become a teacher were granted free licensure examination by the Maguindanao provincial government as part of its commitment to ensure quality education and stable jobs.
Dubbed as “Free LET Review Classes, Quality Education for a Progressive Maguindanao,” Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu said two review classes were organized in Cotabato City and Tacurong City to pave way for the examinees.
Mangudadatu said regardless of age, all bona fide Maguindanao residents who are graduates of Education course were admitted. “Original birth certificates and Transcript of Records are the only requirements. All who passed the prerequisites were also given free review books,” he said in a statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
“We are not ceasing to initiate projects that would provide a quality education for the people in Maguindanao. One of the means to improve the living conditions of our people, I believe, is to provide them free and accessible education, as what is stipulated in our Constitution,” he said.
Started in November 2011, two review classes were set every Saturday and Sunday and Maguindanao residents near cities of Tacurong and Cotabato held classes in Genalyn Resort and Broce Elementary School, respectively.
Six alternating proctors and professors from the Philippine Normal University in Manila were hired by the provincial government to conduct the review classes.
“We are hopeful that we will reap what we sown. Maguindanao needs more teachers. I deem teachers are the noblest of all professions. Our teachers represent great impact of what we are now. If we have plenty of teachers, we can greatly improve the quality of education in Maguindanao,” Magudadatu said.
In June last year, Mangudadatu also granted free scholarship to poor, but deserving youths living in remote areas of Maguindanao. The scholarship grant, dubbed “Maguindanao Program on Educational Assistance and Community Empowerment” enrolled some 1,970 students in various tertiary schools in North Cotabato and Maguindanao; and cities of Cotabato and Tacurong. The scholars received P3,000-financial support every semester.
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