DepEd official: Zapatera Muslim teachers could be among those stranded in Marawi

Policemen check evacuees from Marawi at a checkpoint in Iligan City, Mindanao following Tuesday’s siege by members of the militant Maute group. President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law on Mindanao and raised the possibility of putting the entire country under military rule to combat Islamist militants.
AFP PHOTO

Two regular Muslim teachers assigned in Zapatera Elementary School may be among the affected individuals stranded in Marawi City due to the on going siege.

Bianito Dagatan, schools division superintendent of Cebu City, confirmed in a phone interview on Friday afternoon that the two female teachers are teaching Madrasah Education Program for Muslim students in Zapatera Elementary School.

As of Friday afternoon, Dagatan said they are still verifying if the teachers are still in Marawi City.

The teachers, he said, visited their families in Marawi City and planned to join their family during the start of Ramadan, which is on Saturday, May 27.

Dagatan said that he is still getting the complete names and backgrounds of teachers.

There are 18 schools offering Madrasah Education Program for Muslim students in Cebu City that hires a total of 11 permanent teachers and 92 contractual teachers.

According to the Department of Education (Deped) website, Madrasah Education Program is a comprehensive program for Muslim learners in public and private schools, which provides appropriate and relevant educational opportunities within the context of their cultures, customs, traditions and interests.

Dagatan said the program includes teaching Muslim students the Arabic language and Muslim values.