BEAM Newsletter

14 BEAM Pilot Madaris Compete for Excellence and Friendship

The League of Pilot Madaris in the Philippines (LPMP) has organized and held the first quiz bee and literary competition among the 14 pilot madaris in Lanao Del Sur 1, Lanao Del Sur  2 and Marawi City Divisions  on February 20 to 21, 2008 at the Noramis Convention Center, Marawi City.

The activity kicked-off with a colorful parade in the main thoroughfares of the city that caught the eyes of passers. “This is one of our strategies to inform the community that each of the BEAM Pilot madrasah is now advancing academically,” said Aleem Ansary Abdulmalik, president of LPMP. “We thank the BEAM Project and the Department of Education for helping us realize this momentous academic competition between and among the 14 pilot madaris in Lanao Divisions,” he gratefully expressed in his opening statement.

With the theme “Compete to excel and gain more friends” each pilot madrasah teacher and students strived to give their best to win in the competitions. The quiz bee focused on English, Filipino, Math, Science, Arabic Language, and Islamic Values. For the literary competition, the participants showed their talents in Azaan (call to prayer), Khitaaba (extemporaneous speech), Qasidah (declamation) and singing Islamic songs. This part of the contest impressed the audience and made them cheer to motivate the contestants. The crowd that was there to witness the event were filled with awe for the confident children performing in front of the crowd. The parlor games facilitated by the management team provided laughter and necessary breather in the contest.     

To make the activity reach the wider audience from the city of Marawi to the shores of Lake Ranao and to the peak of Lanao plateau, the organizers has aired the activity live over DXAD Radio Ranao, reaching even to the remotest areas in Lanao Provinces.  It also promoted the BEAM intervention to assist the pilot madaris improve and strengthen the quality of instruction make every madrasah a venue for building a culture of excellence and peace.

Impressed by the result and response of the community to the quiz bee, Dr. Fatima Mognie, Supervisor and ALIVE Coordinator in Marawi City Division proudly expressed that this activity “will surely establish understanding and harmony between and among our school children from the different madrasah.”

All the other ALIVE /Madaris coordinators in Lanao Divisions have also been encouraged by the activity. Speaking on behalf of the Schools Division Superintendents in Lanao Divisions, they have expressed their full support to the initiatives and programs of the League of Pilot Madaris in the Philippines.

The activity has been a memorable and unforgettable experience for most of the madrasah children who came from the far-flung places. Most of them have never been to the city and it was their first time to experience such a kind of activity that has given them the chance to show their skills and build their confidence. It has provided them the opportunity to see, mingle and play with their fellow Muslim children.

The competition has provided a venue for meeting and gaining more friends while competing for excellence.