Albay sets “Gawad sa Edukasyon” next month

by MD Rama

Legazpi City (24 November) — The Provincial Government of Albay, through the office of education coordinator, is set to recognize and award exemplary performance of students, teachers, principals and local government units on December 22, 2009.

The “Gawad sa Edukasyon” is a province-wide search for principals, teachers and students who exceed the average standards and soar high in the chosen field.

Categories for Gawad sa Edukasyon are:

• Students Excellence Award for Leadership (SEAL) to student achievers in academics and leadership in both public and private elementary and secondary schools in the province;

• Search for Outstanding Teachers of Albay (TOTAL) – a continuing search for outstanding teachers in elementary and secondary;

• Three Outstanding Principals in the Countryside of Albay (TROPICAL) – a similar search as the TOTAL to identify and reward three principals in the province whose leadership resulted to academic excellence, social relevance, organizational efficiency and recognition of their school; and,

• LGUs (local government units) Best practices in Education (Kadunong) – this category will encourage other LGUs to infuse education as the finest program that produces a lifetime return of investment in the locality.

The successful 10 outstanding teachers as well as three outstanding principals will receive plaque and P100,000 cash each. While an LGU with best practices in education will receive P200,000 and P20,000 each for 10 students with excellent leadership.

Governor Joel Salceda has allocated an amount of P5 million for the Gawad sa Edukasyon which was introduced in 2008 as an effective motivating factor to better performance.

The provincial government of Albay awards cash certificates, trophies, plaques, medals to achievers and high performers.

These extrinsic rewards are reinforcing motivation that clearly recognizes outstanding achievements.

During the same occasion the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay is also set to give the highest provincial honor and P250,000 cash gift to Efren Penaflorida. He bested nine other nominees from different countries for the Hero of the Year award initiated by CNN.

The nominees were initially selected by a panel of 14 “Blue Panel” luminaries but the Hero of the Year award is given to the one with the most number of online votes in the CNN Heroes website.

For his innovative “Kariton Klasrum” (pushcart classroom) Filipino educator Peñaflorida has been awarded by CNN as “2009 Hero of the Year.”

Governor Salceda said Albay will make Penaflorida an honorary son of the province. “Regional Development Council chairman we will make similar commendation.”

“His sense of civic duty should inspire citizens, reignite hope for our nation but remind public servants to bring service closer to the people and more importantly employ political will and local leadership,” Salceda said. (PNA Bicol/PIA)