Outstanding program implementers, student leaders, supreme student and pupil government teacher advisers, school heads, and regional and division youth formation coordinators were recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) in this year’s “Gawad Siklab.”
“Gawad Siklab” was organized by the Bureau of Learner Support Services – Youth Formation Division (BLSS-YFD) in partnership with Schools Division Office (SDO) Caloocan City.
It awarded 42 recognitions in four categories: 1) Student Government Awards on Elementary and High School; 2) National Greening Awards (YES-O and GPP) for Elementary and High School; 3) Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) High School Level Only; and 4) Youth Formation Coordinators Awards.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones congratulated the awardees. “You truly deserve the recognition which you have worked so hard for,” she said.
Briones also thanked the awardees on behalf of DepEd “for your contributions for our continued survival, to our continued sense of serving our communities, our country, and especially our learners.”
“Let this Gawad Siklab ignite our passion,” Briones said. “Let us ablaze our projects with creativity, with innovativeness, and also with courage and inspiration,” she added.
This year’s “Gawad Siklab” highlighted the contribution of teachers and learners in helping the basic education sector hurdle the challenges brought by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Meanwhile, DepEd Undersecretary for Administration Alain Del Pascua said that the “Gawad Siklab” is a testament to the DepEd’s commitment to nation-building.
“We honor remarkable individuals, students, teachers, and school organizations who went above and beyond what is expected of them amid a global health crisis,” Pascua said.
“With your unwavering sense of nationhood and service, you continue to affirm DepEd's thrust for an education anchored on social relevance and change,” he added.
The national awarding ceremony also became an avenue to “celebrate and highlight” the initiatives, individuals, and schools with outstanding and extraordinary work for the betterment of their respective communities.