DAGUPAN CITY, June 16 (PIA) – The Bonuan Boquig National High School (BBNHS) in Dagupan City was named as one of the finalists in the World's Best School on June 9 under the environmental action category for its mangrove and beach clean-up project.
The World’s Best School Prize was launched in 2022 by T4 Education (T4), a global education organization in partnership with Yayasan Hasanah, Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture, and American Express.
T4 Education is a global community formed during the COVID-19 pandemic that sought to assist teachers and schools navigate the new normal and generally improve education for all individuals.
The platform's World Best School Prizes seek to "identify, recognize, and celebrate schools’ leading and innovative practices that have had a real impact on the lives of their students and of their community."
“When Typhoon Pepeng in 2019 left two-thirds of Dagupan City submerged in flood water, BBNHS took action to support its students and save the local environment. Mobilizing thousands of volunteers, the school planted mangroves and provided new habitats and shelter for fish,” the school’s profile on the T4 Education website reads.
In 2014, the school also initiated the International Coastal Clean-up clearing the shorelines of Bonuan Beach.
They segregated the garbage collected and recyclable materials were upcycled as garden pots and decorations.
Volunteers also planted trees to rehabilitate a local dump site.
BBNHS Principal Renato Santillan said, “We are deeply humbled to be one of the top 10 shortlisted world’s best schools for environmental action. The school community’s efforts for more than a decade were finally recognized. This inspired us to continue loving and protecting our Mother Earth.”
If BBNHS were to win the awards, “it would use the funds to build a nursery that could house around 50,000 mangrove seedlings a year and push much-needed research to improve the techniques and technology on mangrove propagation and preservation.”
All shortlisted schools will be sharing their expertise during World Education Week in October during the annual virtual event to be held from October 17 to 21.
The winners will also be announced during the event. (JCR/AMB/PIA Pangasinan)
