THE NEW guidelines on awards and recognition could encourage students to strive more as it is more inclusive, Department of Education Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said Friday.

Bringas was referring to the awarding system under the K to 12 curriculum in which learners may be qualified as with honors, with high honors and with highest honors depending on their General Weighted Average.

“With the new guidelines on awards and recognition…under the K to 12 [curriculum], it is more of attaining the standard competencies set by the Department. Meron na tayo ngayon with honors, with high honors and with highest honors. Depende ‘yan kung mami-meet nila ‘yung standards,” Bringas said in a radio interview.

According to DepEd’s memorandum, to be recognized with highest honors, student must have a GWA of 98-100; 95-97 to receive with high honors and 90-94 to receive with honors.

“Kahit saang section ka pa manggaling, if you meet the standards then you will be given the recognition,” the DepEd official added.

Bringas added that this award system helps students to strive more as receiving awards is no longer limited to top 10 in class.