The UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies- Islamic Studies Program, in collaboration with the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, recently organized a two-day capacity building workshop on Muslim education issues in Zamboanga City. The event took place on July 4 and 5, 2024, at the AdZU Lantaka Campus. The workshop aimed to address pivotal issues impacting Muslim education at the school level, and it saw the participation of selected administrators and teachers from the Sarang Bangun Learning Center and High School, as well as educators involved in the Arabic Language and Islamic Values Education (ALIVE) program of the Department of Education.
Assoc. Prof. Nefertari A. Arsad led the workshop, serving as the project leader and a resource person. She delivered a lecture on Curriculum Integration and Contextualization, emphasizing its definition and significance. According to Assoc. Prof. Arsad, “Curriculum contextualization involves framing or examining a concept, idea, theory, issue, or topic of concern in the curriculum from a particular perspective, while curriculum integration provides a learning environment that promotes connections within and across subjects or learning areas.” The participants engaged in a group activity to deepen their understanding of curriculum integration and contextualization, brainstorming ways to integrate concepts across various areas and contextualize them according to global perspectives.
On the second day, a mentoring session was facilitated by Assoc. Prof. Arsad, focusing on different mentoring approaches, the principle of nurturing (Tarbiyah), strategies for classroom management, creating a safe space for all learners, and planning differentiated instruction for diverse learners. Another notable lecture was presented by Ms. Vi-Amor Ramirez, who discussed topics related to Special Education (SpED) and the importance of educators’ understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and delays, especially when working to address Muslim education issues, including catering to students with special needs.
At the conclusion of the capacity building workshop, Assoc. Prof. Arsad, along with the administrators from Sarang Bangun Learning Center and High School, expressed their commitment to continuing their partnership with UP CIDS-ISP and UP IIS. This commitment includes participating in the deployment and impact assessment of instructive modules for school teachers and administrators. These collaborative efforts are essential for examining educational interventions comprehensively, providing valuable policy insights, and serving as a springboard for future research on Muslim education.
The workshop’s success underscores its potential to become a crucial resource for education stakeholders and to further advancements in the field of Muslim education, ultimately contributing to the development of impactful educational policies.
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