The Princess Maha Chakri Award Foundation (PMCAF), led by Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, the Chairman of the Foundation, visited the Philippines from March 9 to 15, 2024. The purpose of the visit was to meet the Filipino teacher received the 2023 Award, strengthen collaboration between the Foundation and the Philippines Department of Education, and promote PMCA activities in the Philippines.
The Princess Maha Chakri Award is an international award established in 2014 to honor HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the educator Princess of Thailand, for her continuous work in education and with students for over four decades. It aims to recognize outstanding teachers whose dedication has positively impacted their students’ lives and has contributed to education in the ASEAN and Timor-Leste. The Award is given every two years to one recipient from each of the eleven participating countries.
On March 10 and 11, the delegation, along with the Thai Ambassador H.E. Mr. Tull Traisorat and representatives from Department of Education visited Jerwin O. Valencia at Dingras National High School in Ilocos Norte. This visit aims to follow-up with Jerwin O. Valencia on his work and to explores possibilities of future collaboration with other Award teachers.
Subsequently, the Group paid courtesy visits to Ilocos Norte Vice Governor - Hon. Cecilia Araneta-Marcos and Laoag Mayor - Hon. Michael Marcos Keon to receive advice on Ilocos Norte and possible collaboration.
Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara stated that the Princess Maha Chakri Award enables teachers receiving the Award to play an instrumental role in uplifting students’ lives, fostering learning, and contributing to educational development in each country. Additionally, the award serves as a mechanism to develop PMCA teachers’ networks via the collaboration with Award teachers in 11 countries, ASEAN, and Timor Leste. The Award facilitates the teachers to engage with the Royal Thai Embassy and various Thai business communities to support activities of the PMCA recipients.
On March 12, Dr. Krissanapong Kirtikara, the Chairman of the PMCAF, the Delegation, together with H.E. Mr. Tull Traisorat, the Thai Ambassador to the Philippines, and previous Philippines Award recipients, paid a courtesy visit to the Department of Education to meet with high officials of the Department of Education. After that, the group visited the Royal Thai Embassy, where they met Philippine media representatives and Thai business investors.
Last March 14, the Delegation also visited two schools under HRH Patronage in General Santos. The Princess Maha Chakri Award comprises a Princess Maha Chakri Award medal, a gold honorary brooch, a Princess Maha Chakri Award plaque, a prize money of USD$10,000 and a certificate of honor.
Currently, 55 teachers have received the award. Their areas of expertise include teaching indigenous or disadvantaged groups of students in remote areas, science, English, special needs, vocational education, and school leadership.
