BARMM kids combat illiteracy through animation learning

In a bid to bridge knowledge disparities, 90,000 kindergarten to grade three students across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) have begun learning Bangsamoro core values, literacy, numeracy, and peace education through a series of animated videos catered in the “Isla Maganda” project.

Out of 17 regions in the country, BARMM recorded the lowest basic literacy rate at 81%, revealed in the 2024 Functional Literacy, Education, and Mass Media Survey by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Following the recent record, Mohagher Iqbal, Minister of the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, highlighted the project's pivotal impact on the quality of education catered to Bangsamoro students.

“Many young learners grow up in conflict-affected or geographically remote areas, where access to quality and inclusive education is inconsistent, having a detrimental impact on their learning and future opportunities,” Iqbal said.

He stressed that learners in the region face numerous learning gaps, the most common being the inability to access quality education due to geographical conditions.

Project Curriculum

Over 500 schools across six provinces in BARMM have participated and benefited from the “Isla Maganda” project.

In preparation for the implementation of the project, over 2,600 teachers underwent training with the provision of lesson guides as well to ensure its proper execution.

The “Isla Maganda” project includes two curricula: the Animated Social and Emotional Learning (SEF), Executive Function (EF), and Peace Education Curriculum; and Numeracy and Literacy Curriculum.

Promoting quality and inclusive education, “Isla Maganda” will be catered through flexible learning methods such as at-home learning, learning in scarce environments, and classroom-based learning.

Isla Maganda

This project is a product of joint efforts between BARMM and the Australian Government to combat illiteracy in the region, with both advocating for quality education.

“Australia is investing in education for lasting peace and prosperity. In partnership with the 

@BangsamoroGovt, we proudly launched Isla Maganda - a fun audio and animated series, delivering quality education to K-3 learners in the Bangsamoro, including in remote areas,” Australian Ambassador Hae Kyong Yu posted in social media platform X on Dec. 2. 

The first curriculum will feature twenty animated videos, produced by the Big Bad Boo Studios and funded by the Australian Government, each provided with a teacher’s guide, student activity book, and teacher training.

Another set of animated stories as radio broadcasts will also be featured in the second curriculum, as well as teachers’ guides, activity books, and unique monitoring and evaluation tools.