Rappler’s education reporter Bonz Magsambol was recognized on Friday, March 26 by De La Salle University (DLSU) for his story on the challenges of the distance learning system during the pandemic.

Magsambol’s story, titled “No student left behind? During pandemic, education ‘only for those who can afford,'” won outstanding online feature story in the youth and education category of the 16th La Sallian Scholarum Awards (LSA). 

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No student left behind? During pandemic, education ‘only for those who can afford’

His story on the plight of students with special needs during remote education was also a finalist in the same category. (READ: Distance learning: A looming crisis for students with special needs)

The LSA is an annual event which, according to the official blog of DLSU, “aims to give recognition to outstanding coverage of youth and education stories by professional and campus journalists.”

The other finalists for the youth and education category were:

• “This SK in Laguna sets up online ‘talipapa’ to help farmers, jobless locals” by Mark Ernest Famatingan, Rappler
• “Fresh grad on career plans in 2020: ‘It made me think of how I can adjust'” by Mylene Mendoza, CandyMag.com
• “Here’s how schools can move forward amid COVID-19 threat, experts say” by Kaela Malig, GMANetwork.com
• “Youth group recruiting teaching assistants to help marginalized students cope with blended learning” by Aisza Lu and Iane Macasieb, OneNews.PH
• “As classes open, ‘learning crisis’ highlighted with millions of students left behind” by Janvic Mateo, OneNews.PH
• “Uncertainties grip new normal in learning” by Cody Cepeda, Inquirer.Net
• “May twenty ako: Youth-led organization gets to raise P4 million to help the marginalized amid the pandemic” by Janelle Lorzano, OneNews.PH
• “Test kits, 3D-printed face shield, sugar alcohol: Phl universities help fight COVID-19” by Janvic Mateo, OneNews.PH

Here are the winners from the other categories:

• Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a school organ – “Spectrum of experiences: Children with special needs face up to distance learning demands” by Kay Estepa, Glenielle Geraldo Nanglihan, and Criscella Ysabelle Racelis, The LaSallian
• Outstanding published feature article on youth and education in a nationally circulated publication – “Private school teachers share their experiences in blended learning” by Noel Pabalate, Manila Bulletin
• Outstanding video feature story on youth and education – “The Atom Araullo Specials Batch 2020” on GMA
• Outstanding feature story on De La Salle University – “DLSU engineers just presented possible approach in distributing COVID antiviral” by Rhia D. Grana on ABS-CBN

Awardees each received a sculpture designed by renowned artist Toym Imao.

Another story published on Rappler – “How can the Philippines secure enough drugs or vaccines against coronavirus?” by contributor Shaira Panela – was also nominated in the outstanding feature story on De La Salle University. – Rappler.com