The Department of Education (DepEd) recently defended its awards and recognition system, stating that it reduces pressure and competition among learners, allowing them to focus on their own academic achievements.
This response comes after a viral social media post highlighted a perceived increase in the number of students receiving academic awards, despite the country’s low ranking in the 2023 Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
“PISA uses different parameters to determine country scores, which are not comparable to the criteria we use for school awards and recognition,” said DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
Implemented since the start of the K to 12 program, the current system has removed the titles “valedictorian,” “salutatorian,” and “honorary mentions,” previously limited to the top 10 students in a class or batch. Under this system, students with an average grade of 90 to 94 receive the “with honors” award, those with 95 to 97 receive “with high honors,” and those with 98 to 100 receive “with highest honors.”
“With the old system, learners competed with each other, but now, they compete with themselves and are recognized if they meet the standards,” Bringas explained. “This system encourages all learners to strive and is more inclusive, no longer limited to just the top 10 in the class.”
However, the Teachers Dignity Coalition (TDC) believes the current awarding system should be reviewed. TDC Chairperson Benjo Basas pointed out the lack of uniformity in grading standards across different schools.
“Our teachers and schools sometimes lower their standards or give some consideration to students who show effort and seem deserving of a reward,” Basas told ABS-CBN News. “Grades come from more than just exams; they include subjective assessments like writing, physical performances, and more. This can vary significantly between different localities and schools.”
Basas noted that while the current system encourages students to focus on their own academic excellence, there is a need for a more consistent and solid standard in awarding grades.
