Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople, before leaving for the ASEM Meeting in Bali, reiterated the Philippine Government’s deep appreciation of Brunei’s offer of 10 scholarships a year for the next 3-5 years to Muslim students from Mindanao, which was earlier discussed during DECS Secretary Edilberto de Jesus’ visit to Brunei Darussalam 13-18 April 2003. His Majesty Sultan  Haji Hassanal Boliah made the announcement recently.

During Sec, De Jesus’ visit, Brunei’s assistance was also solicited in the training of administrators and headmasters in the Madrasah school system.

“We laud Brunei’s decision as well as the expeditious manner in implementing the request,” Sec. Ople said as he expressed elation over this development. “This is an important milestone in RP-Brunei bilateral relations; in fact an impetus to closer ties between our two governments,” he added.

The training on the Madrasah school system- mid-term familiarization – aims to establish a standard curriculum for the instruction on Islamic values and the Arabic language, curriculum, and school management.
 

The Universiti Brunei Darussalam informed the Philippine Embassy in Brunei that it is now ready to accept candidates from the Philippines for the next semester.

Madrasah school system is a unique school system with focus on religious teachings, not on academic subjects. It is entirely dependent on the system of the Islamic country supporting the program. With Brunei’s proximity to the Philippines and its well-known Islamic instruction, the Madrasah school system could serve as a model for Filipino Muslim students in Mindanao.