EDUCATION Secretary Leonor Briones will receive the prestigious Lifetime Contributor Award for the public sector at the 12th Asia CEO Awards 2021 on October 12, Tuesday.

“I am grateful to be selected as the Lifetime Contributor Awardee. This citation is dedicated to the whole DepEd family, who courageously defied odds and challenges to ensure the delivery of basic education and to continue to provide opportunities to our learners for their better future,” Briones said.

A Lifetime Contributor Award is the highest honor at the Asia CEO Awards, which recognizes leaders and nation-builders for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the country.

This year’s awarding will be streamed live on the Asia CEO Awards Facebook page and the Asia CEO Forum Facebook page.

Under the leadership of Briones, DepEd developed the Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan at the onset of the Covid19 outbreak. The initiative ensured the health, safety, and well-being of learners, teachers, and personnel while continuing education through curriculum adjustments, deployment of multiple learning modalities, provision of corresponding training for teachers and school leaders, and proper orientation of parents and guardians.

Briones also introduced the Sulong EduKalidad program, which innovates policies and programs to address challenges in attaining quality education. It focuses on four aggressive reforms in primary education: K to 12 curriculum review and update, Improving learning environment, Teachers upskilling and reskilling and Engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration.

Briones spent much of her career as an educator, teaching public fiscal administration and social development at the University of the Philippines Diliman.

In 2012, the University of the Philippines’ Board of Regents conferred the rank of professor emeritus on Briones. She is the only living professor emeritus in public administration at the University.

Along with PLDT Enterprise as Title Sponsor, Asia CEO Awards is the most prominent business awards event in the Philippines and one of the most significant events in the Asia Pacific region. It promotes leadership excellence and team-building within organizations and displays Filipino business accomplishments to the world’s business leaders.