Australia vows to support education in Bangsamoro beyond 2017

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Australia has vowed to continue supporting education in the Bangsamoro areas in Mindanao beyond 2017 as its lead program Basic Education Assistance for Muslim Mindanao (BEAM-ARMM) is set to be terminated by June 2017. 

Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell reaffirmed his government’s continued support to quality education in the Bangsamoro as a path to sustainable peace and prosperity.

 “We believe that education has a role to play in promoting sustainable peace. An educated population is better equipped to achieve and nurture peaceful and prosperous communities,” Twedell said at a recent gathering on education through the Alternative Delivery Model (ADM), pointing out the importance of  education in breaking the cycles of conflict and poverty. 

“Peace and education are intertwined and this is why Australia will continue to support both,” the ambassador said. 

Australia is the largest bilateral donor to education and is a major donor to multilateral facilities for the Bangsamoro.

The Australian government-funded BEAM-ARMM Program covers a wide range of education interventions.  These include early childhood care and development, basic education access, technical and vocational training of out-of-school youth, improving sanitation and health in schools and ADM.

The BEAM-ARMM Program component on ADM, which is implemented by BRAC Philippines, contributes to the improvement of access to and more equitable provision of basic education for out-of-school children in remote, school-less, conflict-affected and disadvantaged communities in the ARMM.