To uphold the implementation of the establishment of the Bangsamoro Science High School System in the region, the Ministry of Science and Technology, in collaboration with the Board of Trustees (BOT), organized the meeting on January 15, 2024, at the Ministry of Basic Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) Regional Office. Attendees included BOT members, MOST, and MBHTE officials.
During the opening activity, MOST Minister Engr. Aida Silongan, a BOT Chairperson, delivered an opening statement and introduced other BOT members. She expressed a commitment to facilitating collaborative and constructive discussions throughout the meeting, emphasizing the impact of decisions on students, the community, and the broader educational landscape.
“As we are committed to facilitating collaborative discussions, let us keep in mind the impact our decisions will have on the students, the community, and the educational landscape at large. We look forward to productive discussions and meaningful outcomes emerging from our efforts,” Minister Silongan said.
The attendees of the 1st meeting included MOST Minister, MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal, Member of the Parliament and Committee on S & T Chairperson Shuharto Ismael, Mindanao State University (MSU) System President Atty. Basari Mapupuno, and Bangsamoro Mufti Sheik Abdulraug Guialani. Technical Working Group (TWG) members were also present.
During the meeting, Nasrodin Buisan, RCh, Director II of MOST Technical Management and Operation Services, presented and discussed the background and rationale of the BSHS establishment. He emphasized the inclusivity of BSHS as a separate system and underscored the importance of establishing it in the region, which is the only one without the Philippine Science High School System in the country.
Continuing, TWG Member Atty. Norhussien Lauban discussed the salient features of BSHS Implementing Rules and Regulations. Crucial discussions of the day included the proposed location and approved budget, hiring of approved plantilla positions, selection of two BOT representatives from the private sector, international benchmarking, the 2024 BSHS roadmap, BOT honoraria, and the schedule of the next meeting.
MOST and BOT members ensured that the roadmap for the implementation of the BSHS system in the region would serve as a robust way of implementing and actualizing all the plans and successes of the significant system.