Maambong heaps kudos on DepEd

Provincial Board member Victor Maambong has lauded the Department of Education for the launch of the New Gintong Ilawan - Teodoro Alonso Educators Awards in recognition of outstanding female principals.

In a proposed resolution, co-sponsored by member Juan Bolo, Maambong congratulates DepEd for the initiative, as it uplifts the quality of education in the country by encouraging educators to work more. The program is in partnership with a cosmetics firm, Avon, as it marks its 17th year. The award takes a different shape this year by recognizing not only one national winner, as had been practiced in the past, but 10 outstanding female principals.

"It also honors the significant achievements of women educators from the different regions in the country," Maambong said in his proposed resolution, which will be taken up in tomorrow's regular session of the PB.

Meanwhile, Maambong has sponsored a separate resolution, which expresses support to DepEd for calling the attention of public school teachers to monitor the health of their students. This is amidst reports that there is a high incidence of malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies among schoolchildren, especially those who are living in impoverished rural areas and urban slums. Maambong echoed the statement made by Thelma Santos, who is the director of DepEd's health and nutrition center, that if only teachers would be more observant of their students, they could contribute to the early detection or prevention of illnesses among students, and subsequently ease the pressure on DepEd's health workers.

In addition, Maambong stressed the need for teachers to undergo adequate training in the effective teaching of proper and positive health practices as well as the need to upgrade the skills and the support extended to school health and nutrition personnel, supervisors, and administrators so as to implement the school health and nutrition programs effectively. - Cristina C. Birondo