Section 2August 1, 1989, Sec./Art. 2

Consistent with the basic State policy on education, the Autonomous Region shall adopt the following educational policies and principles:

(1) Education in the Autonomous Region shall be committed to the total spiritual, intellectual, social, cultural, scientific and physical development of man, thus making him a God-fearing, peace-loving, and work-oriented citizen of the nation;

(2) All schools in the Autonomous Region shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, appreciation of the role of national and regional heroes in the historical development of the country and region, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, and shall teach the rights and duties of citizenship, and the cultures of the Muslims, Christians, and tribal peoples in the Region to develop, promote and enhance unity in diversity;

(3) The thrust, programs and administration of vocational, non-formal and special education shall be supported and made relevant to the manpower needs of the Region;

(4) A system of scholarship programs, grants, student loans, subsidies and other incentives shall be made available to all poor but deserving students;

(5) The active participation of the home, community, religious organizations and other sectors in the total educative process of the child shall be encouraged and supported;

(6) (a) A regional language may be evolved and developed from the different dialects in the Region.

(b) Filipino and English shall be the media of instruction in all schools in the Region. Major languages of the Region shall be auxiliary media of instruction.

(c) The Arabic language shall be a compulsory subject for Muslims and optional for non-Muslims in all schools in the Region;

(7) The education in the Autonomous Region shall develop consciousness and appreciation of one's ethnic identity and shall provide a better understanding of each other's cultural heritage for the attainment of national unity and harmony;

(8) The Regional Government shall recognize the participation of private institutions of learning, including the Madaris (Arabic schools), in providing quality education to the people of the Region; and

(9) Unless otherwise provided by regional law, the Regional Government may implement a four-year primary and a three-year intermediate education; a 2-2 secondary education; and a four-year or more college education in schools within the Region.