School Principal from Abra honored in International Educational Innovation in Thailand

Bangued, Abra – Mary Hazel Ballena, the principal of Bucay North Elementary School (BNES) in Abra, was honored for her contribution in assisting learners to keep up with their academics during the height of the pandemic.

Ballena received the Southeast Asian Educational Innovation Award handed by Dr. Attaphon Sangkhawassee, Secretary of South East Asian Ministry of Education Organization (SEAMEO) in Bangkok, Thailand from November 28-30, 2022.

SEAMEO Educational Innovation aims to honor and recognize teachers and development workers in Southeast Asia who made exemplary contributions to the lives of learners and communities through the creative application of an idea into practical reality.

It likewise encourages interaction and cooperation among education workers across the region through the dissemination of award-winning innovations.

Ballena is one of the four Filipino awardees in the said educational innovation.

Ballena’s contribution

Ballena was recognized through her innovative Teachers’ Engagement, Action, and Commitment to Assisting Learners at Home to Think, Ask, Listen, and Build New Knowledge (TEACH TALK).

TEACH TALK is a project using a handheld two-way radio for the delivery of lessons, conduct of learner assessments, and means to ask questions and concerns. It is a way to effectively and continuously deliver quality education for students despite the challenge and absence of the internet and the implementation of modular lessons.

The school principal disclosed that said innovative new medium and platform project was conceptualized during the heightened imposition of lockdowns when students were on alternative learning modalities.

Participants of the event

Around 350 classroom and school innovations in six Southeast Asian countries participated in the event namely- Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Winners received a trophy of recognition and a travel grant of 3,000 USD each.

They also presented their winning innovations in a Knowledge Forum among Thai educators organized by the Teachers Council of Thailand and Innovation and Technology (INNOTECH) in Bangkok.

LISTEN TO STATION 1 RADIO: CLICK ME

OTHER NEWS 

DTI-Kalinga holds first year-end MSME gathering after 31 years of operation

Follow Guru Press Cordillera  on Facebook for more News and Information