The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should work on increasing the number of enrollees in the basic education system.

In a recent Senate hearing on the preparedness of basic education schools, Gatchalian lamented that BARMM has the lowest student participation rates nationwide.

During the School Year 2020-2021, the BARMM's participation rate in Kindergarten stood at 53 percent, notably lower than the nationwide average of 66 percent.

Similarly, in elementary education, the BARMM's regional participation rate was 69 percent as opposed to 89 percent nationwide.

The region's participation rates in junior and senior high school further plummeted to 37 percent and 13 percent, respectively. In contrast, the nationwide participation rates for junior and senior high schools during SY 2020-2021 were considerably higher at 81 percent and 49 percent, respectively.

Based on the average low cohort survival rate in BARMM, Gatchalian cited that for every 100 learners in the region who enter Grade 1, only 17 graduate from Grade 12.

While only 51 graduate from senior high school for every 100 learners nationwide who enter Grade 1.

"I believe that the first order of business in BARMM is to promote schooling and the second order is to retain learners in school," he said, urging the officials: "Bring the kids to school and retain them."

Citing his recent discussions with BARMM governors, Gatchalian said it became apparent that many children in the region drop out of school to help out in their families' work on the farms.

"They're forced to work at an early age because of poverty. But, of course, in the long run, the situation may not be conducive to their long-term well-being," said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

Gatchalian previously pushed for an enhanced back-to-school program to increase enrollment in the Bangsamoro region.

He also sought to strengthen the implementation of the Alternative Learning System in the area "to enhance the skills and abilities of the current working population" as well as out-of-school children and youth.