THE DEPARTMENT of Education has officially turned over the supervision of Cotabato schools to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao-Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education.

The Bangsamoro ministry acquired jurisdiction over 83 schools from the Cotabato City Schools Division Office and 103 schools in 63 barangays in North Cotabato.

These schools have a total of 2,380 teaching staff.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones expressed optimism on the partnership during the virtual turnover on December 28, 2020.

“We will be working together and we will also be considering national interests as well as the historical, cultural, and distinct identity of BARMM especially as expressed in its system of education,” Briones said.

MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal said that once the Bangsamoro Education Code gets approved by the government, the institution will govern the education system in the region.