Recognizing student achievements is an essential part of fostering excellence in schools. Academic and non-academic awards serve as a way to celebrate students' hard work, leadership, and contributions. But how exactly do schools determine who deserves these awards?

Each school follows a structured and transparent process to ensure fairness and accuracy. This process is overseen by an Awards Committee (AC), which is responsible for evaluating nominees and selecting the awardees based on set criteria. Let's take a closer look at how this process works.

The Awards Committee (AC)

At the beginning of each school year, the school head or principal forms an Awards Committee (AC). In small schools, a single AC may handle all grade levels, while larger schools may have one for each grade level. The committee must consist of an odd number of members to avoid tied decisions. These members typically include:

Teachers
Guidance counselors or designated teachers
Department heads, grade-level chairpersons, or curriculum heads (one of whom may serve as the chairperson)

To maintain fairness, no member of the AC should be related (within the second degree of consanguinity or affinity) to any candidate for awards.

Duties of the Awards Committee

The AC plays a crucial role in ensuring that the awards process is conducted fairly and efficiently. Their responsibilities include:

Establishing the process and timelines for nominations and evaluations.
Creating rubrics that align with the grade-level awards.
Informing the school community, parents, and stakeholders about the awards process.
Verifying documents submitted by nominees.
Evaluating and deliberating on the qualifications of nominees using the approved rubrics.
Submitting recommendations to the school head or principal for final approval.
Communicating results to nominees, parents, and stakeholders.
Resolving issues related to awards selection.
Ensuring compliance with established guidelines.

Steps in Determining Awardees

The selection process follows a well-defined timeline to ensure a smooth and transparent process.

Step 1: Establishing Guidelines (May to June)

The AC sets the nomination process and evaluation timelines.
Policies are aligned with official guidelines.

Step 2: Formulating Rubrics (July to August)

The AC develops grading rubrics specific to each award category.

Step 3: Seeking Approval (August)

The AC submits the processes, timelines, and rubrics for approval by the school head or principal.

Step 4: Informing the School Community (August)

The approved processes and rubrics are communicated to students, parents, and stakeholders.

Step 5: Accepting Nominations (February)

Class or club advisers submit nominations based on the set requirements.
Only nominees who meet the qualifications are endorsed to the AC.

Step 6: Evaluation and Deliberation (March)

The AC reviews the nominees’ portfolios, which include:
- Report cards
- Certificates
- Documentation of achievements
Candidates are assessed based on the rubrics.

Step 7: Approval by the School Head (March)

The AC submits the final evaluation results to the school head or principal for approval.
If the school head is related to a nominee, the next-ranking official oversees the approval.

Step 8: Communicating Results

The final results are shared with class advisers, parents, and nominees.
If any concerns arise, the AC facilitates a resolution process.

Step 9: Official Announcement of Awardees

The list of awardees is officially posted or announced.

Documents Required for Awards Evaluation

For Academic Excellence Awards, the primary reference is the student’s report card and permanent records.

For other awards, nominees must submit a portfolio containing:

Certificates
Medals, trophies, or plaques
Accomplishment reports
Written authorizations or advisories
Other verified supporting documents

All documents are carefully reviewed and signed by the AC members before being approved by the school head. The final list is then archived in the principal’s office and submitted to the Schools District and Division Offices.

Resolving Protests

If a student or their parent/guardian disagrees with the selection results, they may file a protest with the school head within three (3) working days of the announcement.

The school head, in consultation with the AC, will review the protest and issue a decision within another three (3) working days.

Awardees' Role in Graduation Ceremonies

Awardees are not just recognized during the awarding ceremony; they may also have special roles in the graduation or recognition program. The AC and school head may assign tasks such as delivering the graduation speech or sharing the batch history.

Conclusion

The process of selecting awardees in schools is structured, transparent, and fair. The Awards Committee ensures that the best and most deserving students are recognized based on their achievements and contributions. By following clear guidelines, schools can maintain integrity in their awards system while motivating students to strive for excellence.

Does your school have a similar awards system? Share your experiences in the comments below! 🎓✨