Lacson: More meaningful than the awards

THE Department of Education-Central Luzon recently awarded the regional winners of the 2021 Gawad Siklab Search, which include the Outstanding Program Implementers, Outstanding Student Leaders, Outstanding Supreme Student/Pupil Government (SSG/SPG) Teacher-Advisers, School Heads, and

Outstanding Division Youth Formation Coordinators of DepEd in Central Luzon.

The Gawad Siklab, spearheaded by the DepEd Youth Formation Division aims to recognize the accomplishments and important contributions of the learners, teachers, administrators, and other stakeholders of DepEd. The said endeavor is open to all public schools, school heads, student leaders and teacher-advisers of Supreme Pupil Government (SPG) and Student Supreme Government (SSG), Youth for Environment in Schools-Organization (YES-O), Gulayan sa Paaralan Program (GPP), Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD), and Regional and Division Youth Formation Coordinators.

It should be mentioned that this achievement is indeed an exceptional one as we take into context the many challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. This means that, while schools struggled physically as most people were forced to stay in their homes to protect ourselves from the spread of the virus, these students and teachers did not stop in providing a positive and nurturing environment in the schools. They continued the best practices and innovative projects that are all geared towards the welfare of the youth.

The school is still the second home of our learners and, as their second parents, teachers also aspire to provide them the needed guidance and encouragement that will help them become responsible and empowered citizens of our nation. As their second home, they carry out efforts to ensure that schools remain clean, conducive, and safe environment for the learners whom they regard as their own children.

Through the Supreme Student/Pupil Government, students are given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and gain knowledge in effective and accountable public service starting at a young age. Through the Barkada Kontra Droga, schools are able to provide a positive environment and deter the youth in engaging in bad habits and vices. The YES-O initiative on the other hand gives students the avenue and platform to lead environmental programs and projects as their way of helping save Mother Earth.

While the Gawad Siklab aims to give recognition to the most outstanding implementers of the youth-related programs and projects in schools, we know that these young leaders, teachers, and school heads are doing all these not just to be given an award but to ensure that our youth will have a better and brighter future. That indeed is more meaningful than any award or recognition that they will receive.