By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Recognizing the resilience of the Filipino child in adversity, the Department of Education (DepEd) and its partner organization will honor brave grade school pupils from public schools through a national search.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones (DepEd / MANILA BULLETIN)
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd Memorandum No. 162 series of 2019, announced that DepEd, through its External Partnerships Service (EPS), has partnered with Nestle Philippines for a first national award entitled “Ang Batang Matibay Award.”
Briones said the Search was open to all Grade 5 and 6 pupils from public elementary schools nationwide. The submission of nominations ended last Dec. 20. Starting Jan. 1 to Feb. 28, 2020, the DepEd along with Nestle Philippines will start the screening and deliberations for the “Ang Batang Matibay 2020” nominations.
Learners ages 10 to 11 who met the criteria set by DepEd and Nestle Philippines were qualified to join. In October 2017, DepEd’s EPS signed a memorandum of agreement with Nestle Philippines - Bear Brand Fortified Powdered Milk Drink that included a provision related to the conduct of the “Ang Batang Matibay Awards.”
DepEd noted that this initiative is line with the “Laki sa Tibay 2.0 Program” that “promotes school nutrition education for parents, teachers, and learners.”
Based on criteria set by DepEd and Nestle Philippines, qualified pupils who have an inspiring “tibay” (resilience) are the focus of the awards. Ten awardees will be selected based on their “inspiring tibay story” which shows how an optimistic student “overcomes physical and emotional obstacles just to get to school every day” or how a student is “inspired to do something about his life” and “fully understands the importance of resilience.”
Also among the criteria are academic excellence and involvement in non-academic or extracurricular projects, whether school-based or community-based.
The announcement of awardees and the awarding ceremony will be in March. The “Ang Batang Matibay” awardees will receive plaques of recognition, cash prizes, and educational funds.