Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education
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| Agency overview | |
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Preceding agency | |
| Jurisdiction | Regional government of Bangsamoro |
| Headquarters |
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Minister responsible |
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| Website | min-edu |
The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) is the regional executive department of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) responsible for affairs relating to education in the region. It is tasked to establish, maintain, and support a complete and integrated system of quality education in the Bangsamoro.
History
The Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of Bangsamoro was formed by absorbing the function of various regional offices of the Philippine national government for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). This offices include that of the Department of Education (DepEd),[1] the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).[2] The ARMM is the predecessor government of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
When the ARMM was succeeded by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) in 2019, the regional departments of the former ARMM were reconfigured into ministries of Bangsamoro.[3] Mohagher Iqbal was appointed on February 26, 2019, by interim Chief Minister Murad Ebrahim as the newly reconfigured Bangsamoro department's first minister.[4]
In August 2025, the Commission on Audit ordered a special audit of MBHTE's ₱2.2 billion worth of alleged anomalous disbursements, including ₱1.77 billion paid in a single day and ₱449 million to one supplier.[5]
The MBHTE inaugurated its three-storey office within the Bangsamoro Government Center in Cotabato City on January 15, 2026.[6]
In May 11, 2026, Chief Minister Abdulraof Macacua ordered Iqbal to tender his resignation until May 18 on which he would have deemed "resigned". Iqbal confirmed his removal on May 22 but disputed the manner of his removal alleging he was not given a chance to properly turned over the ministry.[7][8] Macacua took over the education ministry.[9]
Relations with national government
The Bangsamoro education ministry entered into an agreement with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippine national government in April 2019. Under the agreement CHED will provide technical assistance to BARMM to improve the state and accessibility of higher education in the region.[10]
Ministers
| # | Minister | Term began | Term ended | Chief Minister |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohagher Iqbal | February 26, 2019 | May 18, 2026 | Murad Ebrahim |
| Abdulraof Macacua | ||||
| – | Abdulraof Macacua | May 18, 2026 | incumbent | Himself |
References
- ↑ Yaya, Noor Yayha (April 10, 2019). "BARMM can now disburse salaries". Manila Times. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- ↑ Macabalang, Ali (July 17, 2019). "Officials upbeat about full transition of BARMM from interim status". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
- ↑ "Funding The Transition To BARMM: Mandates, Myths And Reality". Institute for Autonomy and Governance. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
- ↑ Arguilas, Carolyn (February 27, 2019). "Murad vows a government "free of all the ills of governance;" names 10 ministers". MindaNews. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
- ↑ "COA orders special audit on BARMM education ministry's ₱2.2 B alleged anomalous disbursements". Retrieved October 18, 2025.
- ↑ Sahidala, Johaira (January 16, 2026). "MBHTE opens new three-storey office building at Bangsamoro Government Center". Bangsamoro Information Office. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
- ↑ Fernandez, Edwin (May 22, 2026). "BARMM education minister sacked". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- ↑ Tejano, Ivy (May 22, 2026). "Iqbal confirms dismissal as BARMM education chief". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- ↑ "BARMM chief takes over Education ministry". BusinessWorld. May 21, 2026. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
- ↑ "CHED, BARMM and top universities unite to provide quality education". Philippine Information Agency. April 10, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
