Peace and education

Our celebration of National Teachers Month and National Peace Consciousness Month brings to mind how much these two are connected and are critical to bringing sustained progress to our country. We all recognize that poverty and a lack of social services lead to conflict and vulnerability, and that conflict hinders progress and sustained growth. It is a cycle that is never ending, especially for Filipinos in Mindanao.

The most vulnerable victims of war and conflict are children. Not only are their lives in danger, but the very basic foundation and infrastructure for quality education are also difficult for them to access and attain. Though the issues in education (low enrollment rates, curriculum quality, access, infrastructure, etc.) are the same throughout the country, Mindanao provinces and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) carry the heaviest burdens as a result of decades of conflict, oppression and injustice.

The Philippine Human Development Report of 2012/2013 identified provinces with significant growth or decline in relation to its Education Index. Tawi-tawi, Maguindanao, Zamboanga del Norte, Sulu, Lanao del Sur, Catanduanes, Mountain Province, Sultan Kudarat, Capiz and Ifugao are the top 10 provinces with the biggest decline.

The 2013 Functional Literacy Education and Mass Media Survey (FLEMMS), covering around 36 million of the population aged 6 to 24, found that out-of-school children and youth in the ARMM comprised 14.4 percent, the highest across the regions. On the other hand, the functional literacy rate in the ARMM is 72 percent, the lowest across the regions (with the National Capital Region at 94 percent).

In the private sector, the highest investment of corporate foundations is for education programs, but when compared against the poverty incidence map, very little of this investment goes to the provinces that need it the most. This does not mean that there should be a drastic change in investment areas, only that there should be increased collective action by the private sector in provinces and regions that have the greatest need for investment and support.

The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), which has been declared the key to development and progress in Mindanao, has its supporters and detractors. With over 17 years of negotiations, we are almost at the cusp of peace in the region. But with the turn of tragic events that delayed the passage of the BBL, the question now is: Where will we go from here?

There are those who do not consider the passage of the BBL as an immediate priority, and who go so far as to say that the resolution of this issue can be passed on to the next administration. But there are those who believe that without the BBL, we can be open to global terrorist activity. Fr. Joel Tabora, SJ, president of Ateneo de Davao University and a supporter of the BBL, states in a recent article: “The legislators say they want peace, but they think that if they undermine the passage of the BBL, or water down its content, the Mindanao violence will not recur. They presume the damage of delay can be remedied under a future administration while they now pander to the fears and votes of prejudiced constituencies. They want peace, but deny peace its due leadership and courage.”

It will be difficult to say that we are coming together as a nation when we cannot come to a resolution to an issue as critical as peace.

Aside from the need to address the political struggles that the proposed law is currently facing, there needs to be a change in the individual—in our culture and attitude toward the concerns of our Muslim brethren, indigenous peoples, and other minorities. We cannot say that we, as a country, have achieved progress, not until the voices of the poor and the oppressed are heard and heeded. Without this, and without the support of our educators to fight and educate for peace, we will never see our country progress.

Advocates for Human Rights, an organization based in the United States, has produced a teaching manual for educators on peace education. “Road to Peace” presents case studies on the personal experiences of individuals in conflict areas. Activities are also provided for students to help them further understand justice, human rights, peace and conflict. By creating greater understanding of the need for peace and conflict resolution, a new, more informed generation can emerge.

The role of educators is critical as they are responsible not just for molding the minds of the next generation but also in fueling their passions and motivations, and even their biases and prejudices. Educators have the awesome task of imbuing our youth with a sense of legacy that goes beyond their personal interests. After all, we are one nation, united in both struggle and triumph.

The future of development and progress for the Bangsamoro people lies in the hands of our lawmakers, but the future for lasting peace and the greater understanding of unity and compassion for our Muslim brethren lie in the hands of our educators.

Ching Jorge is the executive director of Bato Balani Foundation, chair of the League of Corporate Foundations, and a trustee of INCITEGov (International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance).