226 ARMM students given scholarships as part of peace, development drive
COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Believing the importance of education as requirement for human development, Governor Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) awarded last week certificates of scholarship to 226 students who will study next school year under the “Iskolar para sa Pagbabago” (Scholars for Change) program.
Hataman said almost 1,000 scholars have been identified in the autonomous region and they come from the five component provinces of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
Hataman said the students emerged as the top examinees in a regionwide examination and comprehensive interviews with the applicants.
Since assuming office as the region’s top executive, Hataman has been advocating education as a requirement for peace and development in the country’s poorest yet resource-rich region.
Hataman expressed his belief in education as a long-term solution to the illiteracy and poverty problem besetting the region.
The scholars went through rigid and transparent examinations and top level interviews with ARMM chief of staff Amihilda Sangcopan and Education Assistant Secretary Jeh Nue Jalani and other representatives of various agencies like Commission on Higher Education and Department of Public Works and Highways.
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