DepEd launches poster-making contest for oral health

Pupils in public schools may have a chance to compete in an international poster-making contest and have their winning entries featured in a global calendar.

 

The Department of Education said the contest from March 2 to April 30 aims to promote oral health awareness among public school children.

 

“It is regrettable that based on recent surveys, 97 percent of public school children (are) troubled by oral problems which we know can be avoided by mere prevention. We therefore welcome this contest as another avenue to raise public awareness on the importance of oral health,” said DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro.

 

With the campaign in partnership with a toothpaste company, the DepEd said it hopes absenteeism and dropping out of school because of oral health problems will be minimized.

 

Dubbed “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures,” the poster-making contest is open to Grades 1 to 3 pupils aged 6 to 9 at the time of the contest from public elementary schools nationwide.

 

Artworks must be an original work of the student using crayon, paint, regular or colored pencil, acrylic pastel, magic marker, ink, or any combination.

 

The works should depict the theme “Why My Bright Smile is Important.” Entries will also be judged on originality and creativity.

 

Nine national winners—three each from every grade level—will be chosen. Their works will be submitted for global judging in New York, USA, for final selection of 12 global winners, which shall make it to the pages of the global calendar. –KG, GMA News