To: Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Regional Secretary – DepED ARMM
Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents Heads, Public and Private Schools

1. Pursuant to Item No. 8 of DepED Order No. 51, s. 2004, all private Madaris and public schools in Muslim communities are hereby required to implement the Enriched Curriculum for Elementary Public Schools and the Standard Curriculum for Private Madaris during the pilot year SY 2005-2006.
2. To ensure the smooth and effective implementation of said curricula, hereunder are the operational guidelines, to wit:
   1. For Public Schools (Elementary level)
      1. Implementation of the Standard Madrasah Curriculum for SY 2005- 2006 starts in Grade 1.
      2. In schools with mixed enrollment (Muslims and non-Muslims), a minimum of 15 Muslim pupils, shall be sufficient to open classes in Arabic Language and Islamic Values.
      3. For SY 2005-2006, all Muslim pupils from Grades 1 to 6 shall be considered as Grade 1 in Arabic Language and Islamic Values, subject to availability of teachers, school facilities, and instructional materials. In June 2006, Muslim pupils from Grade 2 up to Grade 6 shall be considered as Grade 2, and so on, until the first cohort reaches Grade 6; except those pupils who have previously attended classes in Arabic Language and Islamic Values.
      4. Scheduling of Classes
         1. For schools with predominant Muslim population, classes shall be conducted in accordance with the normal procedure;
         2. For schools with mixed enrolment of Muslims and non- Muslims, the Arabic Language and Islamic Values shall be scheduled after classes in RBEC subjects, or as may be preferred by the Principal or Head of the School; and
         3. For schools in Metro Manila with two or more shifting class schedules, Madrasah classes may be organized during Saturdays.
      5. Information Dissemination, Conduct of Forum, Dialogue and Orientation
         The Regional Directors and Schools Division Superintendents are enjoined to conduct a forum/dialogue/consultation with the Muslim community, especially with the concerned parents and Ulamas, and Local Government Units to disseminate information and obtain their support.
      6. Hiring of Teachers
         Teachers to be hired for Arabic Language and Islamic Values shall have the following qualifications:
         1. College graduate of an Islamic institution in Muslim countries or a local Madrasah if available/ otherwise, a high school graduate but proficient in Arabic Language or an experienced Madrasah teacher may be temporarily hired; and
         2. For high school graduates and/or experienced teachers in Weekend Madrasah, a certification on their proficiency in Arabic Language and Islamic Values by a refutable Muslim organization in the community is required.
      7. Salaries of Teachers
         Teachers to be hired shall be paid on honorarium basis funded by Local Government Unit/local School Board or from other outside sources. Schools Division Superintendents together with the Regional Directors are encouraged to request/appeal for financial support from their mayors and/or governors.
      8. Training of Teachers
         1. Teachers in Arabic Language and Islamic Values shall undergo training in English Language and Teaching Methods, specifically using the modules designed by BEAM before they are fielded to teach in public schools; and
         2. Regional Offices shall conduct their own training for teachers in Arabic Language and Islamic Values, utilizing the Teacher Training Modules for Azatidz and the teacher trainors from their list of master teachers and other qualified personnel of the region and division offices. For this purpose, Schools Division Superintendents are authorized to utilize part of their training budget and/or any savings from PS or MOOE.
      9. Period of Implementation
         The offering of Arabic Language and Islamic Values shall begin in June 2005, but not later than September 1, 2005.
   2. For Private Madaris
      1. Permit to Operate
         1. Application forms for Permit to Operate are available at the Division Offices of this Department. Duly accomplished forms with the complete required/supporting documents shall be submitted at the Division Office, where the applicant seeks to operate, or where the applicant’s school may be located. The same shall be forwarded to the respective Regional Office for final approval of the Regional Director; and
         2. A Madrasah applying for Permit to Operate shall be required to adopt and implement the Standard Curriculum beginning Grade 1, as prescribed in the DepED Order No. 51, s. 2004.
      2. Charging of Tuition Fees
         Private Madrasah institutions are encouraged to charge reasonable tuition fees sufficient to sustain a quality basic education. DepED, however, shall not interfere in the decisions of private Madaris operators on matters relative to the amount of tuition fees, provided that the consultation requirements under RA 6728 are compiled with.
      3. Incentives
         The Schools Division Superintendents are authorized to assist private Madaris in their respective divisions, adopting the curriculum as prescribed under DepED Order No. 51, s. 2004. Such support may be in the form of allowing or assigning one or two teachers to teach RBEC subjects, if such resources are available.
3. Immediate dissemination of and compliance with this Order is directed.

Reference:
DepED Order: (No. 51, s. 2004)
Allotment: 1- -(D.O. 50-97)

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index under the following subjects:
CURRICULUM
POLICY
SCHOOLS

DO_s2005_046