DepEd launches Christmas décor-making contest with health and environmental theme

(PRESS RELEASE)

How do you celebrate the yuletide season while awakening the environmental and oral health consciousness of young people?

The Department of Education is launching a contest for all public elementary schools nationwide for the creation of a gigantic Christmas-inspired décor using recycled toothpaste sachet. 

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the contest is a novel way of promoting oral health awareness among public school students while instilling in them the importance of recycling waste materials in protecting the environment.

“We are actually hitting three targets here: the promotion of oral health care, environment consciousness and a creative way of enjoying the holiday season,” said the education chief.

The gigantic Christmas décor should measure at least eight feet in height, six feet in width and six feet in length.

The project is in partnership with a toothpaste manufacturing company that promotes oral health in public schools through daily tooth brushing.

An earlier study revealed that problems in oral health are one of the reasons of absenteeism in public schools. Through DepEd’s oral health awareness program, school children are taught ways to improve oral hygiene.

17 regional winners will be named on November 29. From the pool of regional winners, three national winners will be selected on December 9, 2011.

Inquiries about the program may be directed to Dr. Thelma Aljibe of DepEd at telephone number 635-9964.