Concept Note
1. Background
SEAMEO TROPMED Network is celebrating its 55th Founding Anniversary. The forefathers’ reason for its establishment is the need for a healthy community if we want a healthy economy. This thinking is still very much relevant today as indicated by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) # 3 “Good Health and Well-being”, and SDG # 4 “Quality Education”. These two SDGs and other SDGs are integrated and inter-related. These goals serve as policy guide posts for the continuous mission of SEAMEO TROPMED Network to serve the people of the region.
2. Rationale
March 11, 2020 was the date the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 as a global pandemic and became the most urgent crisis of our times. Countries have responded by putting in place several measures to contain and help prevent the further spread of the disease. School closure is one of the measures undertaken by almost all countries. However, to ensure that the school closure will not cause total halting of the education services and programmes, different teaching/learning approaches were utilized. Initial studies have shown that the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic affected the lives of students- their physical, emotional, social and perhaps their educational performance. School closure as well as the alternative teaching/learning approaches definitely impacted on students. It is important to listen to students so that these perspectives can be understood to prevent further negative impact.
3. Objectives:
● Gather information related to COVID-19 effect on students;
● Motivate students to write and discuss their perspectives about
COVID-19;
● Promote listening to students’ voices; and
● Document these perspectives for further use in school programmes and policies
4. Details of the Contest
Eligibility
● All primary, junior and senior high school students from the 11 Member countries of SEAMEO
Winning entries
● Prizes for the winning essays:
o First prize winners from each of the three levels: USD200
o Additional two entries will be chosen from each level to receive:
USD 100 each
Assessment Criteria:
The selection and assessment of entries will be done by a Committee composed of experts within the region and representatives of health and education partner institutions/organizations.
The assessment will take into consideration the following parameters:
● Originality – uniqueness, novelty, authenticity of ideas
● Insights- a fresh way of looking at things
● Relevance to time and context of student’s life
● Deadline is 30 May 2021
Submission information
● Essay should not be longer than:
o 300 words for elementary students
o 500 words for high school students (junior and senior high)
● Essay should be written in English and formatted as follows:
o Font: Times New Normal
o Font size: 12
o Font Format: Microsoft Word
o File Name Protocol: The file should be named using your country and followed by your name: Example: Thailand_ Susan Lopez
● Deadline for Submission is 30 May 2021
● Entries should be submitted to: dang_il@hotmail.com
5. Rules and Conditions
5.1. All school applicants agree, acknowledge and guarantee that their entries are their own original work and do not infringe on the copyrights, trademarks, moral rights, rights of privacy/publicity or intellectual property rights of any person or entity, and that no other party has any right, title, claim, or interest.
5.2. SEAMEO TROPMED Network shall keep all data as confidential. However, SEAMEO TROPMED Network may use the information provided in non-commercial reports, publications, video presentations, power point presentations, exhibits, website and intranet, and used for educational purposes.
5.3. SEAMEO TROPMED Network shall have the right to store the entries in the database and also use them for publication purposes with proper acknowledgement.
6. Contact Details
For enquiry, please contact:
SEAMEO TROPMED Network 55th Anniversary School Health Initiative Award
SEAMEO TROPMED Network Office
420/6 Ratchawithi Road
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel: +6623549145; Fax: + 662354 9144
Email: dang_il@hotmail.com; jolinatwoph@yahoo.com
Website: www.seameotropmednetwork.org