In a remote village in Bangsamoro, children are captivated by the animated series Isla Maganda (Beautiful Island). The show brings to life a world where resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving are taught alongside basic educational skills.
Through this world-class animation and audio series, 90,000 children are learning these crucial skills, all grounded in Bangsamoro’s cultural values.
In classrooms with modern devices, students have already watched Isla Maganda two to three times on average. Additionally, 99,527 workbooks have been distributed to provide interactive, hands-on activities to reinforce their lessons.
The Bangsamoro government, in partnership with the Australian government, introduced Isla Maganda as the first program in the region to include 21st-century skills and Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) in early education.
Isla Maganda reaches children in remote and underserved areas, helping them develop skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
So far, the program has benefited 546 schools across six provinces. This includes public elementary schools, learning centers, Indigenous Peoples Education schools, Special Education Centers, and madaris (Islamic schools).
To support teachers and address learning gaps, 2,622 educators have been trained and provided with the series’ teacher guides and children’s workbooks.
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) has faced persistent challenges with low literacy rates, due to barriers in access, quality, and inclusion. BARMM has the lowest literacy rates of any region in the Philippines. According to the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) 2021 Activity Baseline Results, many students in Grades 1 to 3 perform below expected standards.
Isla Maganda aims to bridge this gap by offering engaging, culturally relevant education through animation and audio storytelling. The 20-episode series, aimed at Kindergarten to Grade 3 students, strengthens literacy, numeracy, and peace education, while incorporating important Bangsamoro values like respect, honesty, and empathy.
Developed over four years, Isla Maganda is a collaborative effort involving government partners, international production teams, local talent, and education experts.
MBHTE Minister Mohagher Iqbal stressed the importance of introducing Isla Maganda in schools across BARMM, including in remote and conflict-affected areas.
“Many young learners grow up in areas affected by conflict or are geographically isolated, where access to quality and inclusive education is limited, harming their learning and future prospects,” Iqbal said.
He praised the efforts of MBHTE, the Australian government, the Department of Education (DepEd), and education leaders nationwide, recognizing their dedication to delivering quality education through Isla Maganda. “This program will help more students gain the skills they need to succeed, empowering children, strengthening communities, and fostering a peaceful and prosperous future for our region,” he added.
The Australian Embassy worked closely with MBHTE to develop the materials, ensuring they are tailored to the Bangsamoro context. They also designed teacher training programs to help integrate the series smoothly into classrooms.
Each episode, part of the 21st Century Skills and Social and Emotional Learning curriculum, comes with lesson plans for teachers, provided by MBHTE, ensuring the program is effectively incorporated into the wider education curriculum across BARMM.
Ma. Socorro Tabuga, a teacher at Lapok Elementary School in Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao, was one of the first to introduce Isla Maganda to her Kindergarten students in February.
After completing a three-day master training course on using the classroom materials and facilitating key discussions, she was excited to see her students’ reactions.
“Isla Maganda is helping my students develop important skills like empathy, self-control, and cooperation. Since introducing the series, I’ve seen a positive change in their behavior. They’re interacting more peacefully, with fewer conflicts. They relate to the characters they like, and are adopting their positive traits, which has led to better teamwork, problem-solving, and cooperation,” she shared.
