'No more concept of Top 1': DepEd memo stirs discussion on recognizing academic excellence in the Philippines

The Department of Education sparked a discussion after its community page reposted its memorandum on its move to scrap valedictorian, salutatorian, and other "hierarchical" titles from its recognition system.

“No more titles of valedictorian and salutatorian. No more concept of Top 1. Announcements of (students) with highest honors, with high honors and with honors must be made in alphabetical order not from highest to lowest within categories,” the DepEd Community's Facebook post read, based on a memorandum dated May 27, 2021.

The above-mentioned memo was meant to be a clarification for DepEd Order No. 36 s.2016 or the "Policy Guidelines on Awards and Recognition for the K to 12 Basic Education Program," which seeks to put equality forward when it comes to academic excellence. It also emphasized that students possess “unique strengths”—and they should be “identified, strengthened, and publicly acknowledged.”

“It is important to veer away from valuing only academic achievement based on high grades and move toward valuing and celebrating a wide range of student achievements,” according to the 2016 order.

The 2021 version of the memorandum, however, focuses on classifying academic excellence awards in particular. Instead of their final averages, students will be called in alphabetical order within categories: highest honors, with high honors, and with honors. The department gave a scenario of three students: Margarita Aragon, Juan Dela Cruz, and Jesus Zaragosa with 92, 91, and 94 as their final averages, respectively. 

“The name of learner Margarita Aragon shall be announced first, followed by Juana Dela Cruz and Jesus Zaragosa,” it explained.

DepEd's memorandum elicited mixed reactions in line with the recognition of academic excellence in the Philippines. While some online users lauded it for encouraging fairness among students based on their academic performance, others objected to the memo and pointed out that it could invalidate the students' efforts throughout their academic years. 

What educators think

Angelita Saavedra, a Master Teacher I at Mandaluyong High School with 14 years of experience, thinks that the removal of titles redirects the focus from individual achievements to a broader range of students in acknowledging their academic accomplishments.

“The announcement of awards in alphabetical order, rather than ranking them from highest to lowest within categories, aligns with the goal of fairness and impartiality. This approach ensures that students with similar achievements are treated equally, regardless of their position within the group,” she told PhilSTAR L!fe.

“By implementing these changes, educational institutions aim to foster an environment where recognition is not based solely on individual rankings but is more inclusive and supportive of all students' accomplishments,” she added.

Saavedra also highlighted the several benefits of the 2021 memo, noting that it offers a way to promote a healthier learning environment. She stated that students can feel less pressure in aiming for the top spot and instead focus on their personal growth and development.

“The new approach may help alleviate any negative effects that a highly competitive atmosphere may have on students' mental health and well-being,” she explained.

Eugene Carnaje, a past student achiever who now works as a Junior Teacher II at Colegio San Agustin, clarified that DepEd is not taking the credit away from the students—the department is simply recognizing them without a ranking system.

“This is just a more strategic, fair, and impartial way of giving awards. In the first place, students are going to school to learn, not to compete,” he said.

“Sadly, nakikita sa comments ang mga estudyanteng 'negatively grade conscious' dahil hindi lang nila makuha ang validation na nakalamang sila sa iba. This shows that they need to be better in terms of values while they are young. As a teacher, I also need to do better in instilling values in my students,” he continued.

Parents also weigh in

Parent Viviana Morales lauded the recognition system and highlighted that such can offer a wide range of opportunities to better recognize students’ achievements.

“Dati kasi maririnig mo tuwing recognition na mga valedictorian hanggang honorable mention lang ang binabanggit, ngayon lahat na ay maaaring parangalan basta't umabot sa 90 ang average,“ she told L!fe.

“Nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga mag-aaral na pagbutihin pa ang kanilang pag-aaral upang matamo ang karangalan at bilang isang magulang, masaya na makita mo ang iyong anak na umakyat sa entablado,” she added.

Alberto Calma Banico, who sends his nephews to school, also believes that the system indicated in the memorandum could enhance the self-confidence of students regardless of their sections and final averages.

“Malaking bagay 'yun para ma-boost 'yung confidence ng bata kasi before, sa section one lang naghohonor. Ngayon, kahit ano pa section mo, kapag naabot mo yung ceiling grade ng awardee, ma-aacknowledge ka,” he said.

“Nawawala na rin ang too much pressure and competition kasi katwiran nila, kahit mas mataas pa ng ilang points ang grades mo, kung pareho ang anak natin na nasa bracket, we are still the same. Ang nagiging pressure lang ay sa sarili kapag naghahangad ka na mapabilang sa mga pararangalan,” he explained.

Student-achievers share their thoughts

Speaking to L!fe, Kurt Andrei Morales, the President of the Supreme Student Government of Mandaluyong High School agreed with the DepEd order as he believes schools must prioritize recognizing every student who achieves success, regardless of their standing.

“All academic achievers should be treated equally, and it serves as a reminder that there is still always room for improvement."

“I think that some students have unique skills that should be recognized aside from their academic performance. I honestly believe that we are all lifelong learners, it doesn't matter as long as we are gaining knowledge as it prepares us for the future,” Morales furthered.

But for Nathaniel Gabriel Dela Cruz Escueta, who recently graduated with the highest honor from Polytechnic University of the Philippines Senior High School, student ranking is a huge motivator for a lot of people.

“Naiintindihan ko naman po 'yung viewpoint ng iba that ranking should not be the only goal, and that learning should take precedence over the pursuit of awards. Pero try putting yourself po in the shoes of those who exerted sobra-sobra pong effort and invested sobrang dami pong time sa life nila in obtaining that title, only to have it revoked or disregarded by the new memorandum,” he explained.

Clarisse Cavalida, a grade 11 technical drafting student, also expressed the same sentiments, saying it's unfair for those who work hard to get to the top.

“I don't want to sound arrogant naman pero parang hindi naman tama sa mga students katulad ko na grabe 'yung pagod at puyat para magkaroon ng mataas na average and alphabetical order bigla ang arrangement pagdating sa awarding,” Cavalida said.

“Katulad po noong nakaraang recognition namin, I thought hiwalay ang arrangement para sa with honor and with high honor pero pinaghalo-halo pa rin po, and I was a little let down by it. Parang mag-iiba po kasi ang view mo about sa ranking if dati pa lang, gusto mo nang makatapos with high honors," she explained.

Claudia Carbonell, who graduated salutatorian at Holy Spirit School in 2009, said that recognizing academic excellence "can inspire and show other students what is possible with dedication and hard work."

"It also has practical benefits as it enhances opportunities for scholarships, grants, and admission to prestigious institutions," she added.

DepEd to review current honors system

Perlita Depatillo, public schools district supervisor at the DepEd Schools Division Office Quezon City, clarified in an interview with L!fe that the agency has been implementing the order for seven years now.

"It was only due to the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that only academic awards had been given out in the last three years," she said.

Amid discussions about the present honors system, however, Depatillo bared the agency's move to review it as part of the education sector's revision of the K to 12 Curriculum for the next academic year.

"There is an ongoing review of the K to 12 curriculum so it follows that the awards and recognition guidelines will also be reviewed," she said. "We in the field are also awaiting the final results of the curriculum review."