Manila: The Philippine government said it will continue providing education to Moro youths who had migrated to different parts of the country in a bid to integrate them into the mainstream society.
Education Undersecretary Manaros Boransing said the Department of Education will continue providing technical vocational education and training, as well as Arabic language and Islamic values education to thousands of Moro youths.
Boransing said the programme is part of the overall peace process and will uplift the life of Moros.
Scattered
Most of the Moro youths and their families fled conflict areas in Mindanao and have been scattered across other parts of the country to as far as further north in Baguio City and Benguet, among other areas.
According to Boransing, Moros began migrating to different areas in the country as a result of the recurrent Mindanao conflict as well as poverty. He said that in Luzon alone, there are already an estimated two million Moros who had relocated and had established businesses there.
Boransing said that under the programme, Moro youths will be given education and skills training that would eventually prepare them to earn a living, help their family and help them integrate with local host communities.
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Deputy Director Rogelio Peyuan said the programme to provide the Moro youth with vocational education and Arabic language and values lessons is already on its second year.
The students are given the freedom to choose which technical course suits them and are given daily meals and transportation allowance during the duration of their studies.
"The beneficiaries are also given free choices from a list of in-demand courses that will guide them in matching their skills for employment or become entrepreneurs and start their own businesses," Peyuan said.
Edge
The programme is available for Moro youths from 15 to 35 years old.
Peyuan said Moro youths who choose to undergo the course will have an edge in securing jobs in Muslim countries.
The programme targets to train some 17,000 Muslim out of school youths.
