A public school teacher from Malabon National High School was recognized by an international organization for introducing an initiative that aims to empower youth knowledge on local, national, and global issues through online publication.

Noemi Baysa, a Master Teacher II, was cited by Global Teaching InSights (GTI) - an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) platform - for her initiative called Project I Commit to Global Citizenship Education through Online Newspaper or “PIGEON”.

The Global Teaching InSights (GTI) is an OECD initiative that supports the teaching profession in all of its rich diversity and breadth. In the video released by the GTI, Baysa shared the purpose and goals of the PIGEON, including achieving sustainable development.

Baysa introduced PIGEON to the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Malabon. It was designed to promote global citizenship and sustainable development goals by featuring works of students that “focus on awareness of different local, national, and global issues.” The initiative, Baysa said, also delivers articles from different categories from news, features, opinion, and science. It also publishes artworks such as photos, illustrations, and literary pieces.

Along with former and current campus journalists of Malabon NHS, Baysa launched the PIGEON on April 20, 2020. Her team consisted of 40 people - including nine Senior High School (SHS) learners, 24 college students, and seven young professionals.

“We made it our mission to become a catalyst for change in creating a global community and in inspiring global citizens by upholding our pledge to perform our duty; to educate, to enlighten, and empower the youth,” Baysa said.

Baysa envisioned that through the initiative, “Filipino learners can be more aware of issues on human rights, gender equality, the culture of peace, and global citizenship.” Meanwhile, Education Secretary Leonor Briones commended the efforts of Filipino teachers, like Baysa, who proactively promote the advancement of education and youth participation.

"We appreciate our teachers who devotedly fulfill their duties to help our learners and youth gain knowledge amidst the distance learning set-up,” Briones said.

Briones also lauded the PIGEON project as a “huge achievement” of SDO Malabon. “I hope more schools and teachers will replicate Teacher Noemi’s efforts,” she added.