National Schools Press Conference

National Schools Press Conference
	Official Logo
Occur every	Annually
Last event	2024 in Carcar City, Cebu
Next event	2025 (expected)
Last event theme	"Galing, Talino at Husay ng mga Batang Makabansa sa Diwa ng MATATAG na Adhika"
Organized by	Department of Education (Philippines)

Last updated October 13, 2024

The National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) is the highest competition for journalism for both private and public elementary and secondary schools in the Philippines as per Republic Act 7079, also known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991.^[1] The press conference includes both students from the elementary and secondary level and is usually held on the month of February (July in the post-pandemic years). The event usually lasts for 3 to 5 days.

The journalism contest begins with the Division School's Press Conference (DSPC), where the top three to fifteen in each category, depending on the size of the certain schools division, qualifies for the Regional School's Press Conference (RSPC), from which the top one will be chosen to represent their respective regions in the National School's Press Conference (NSPC). In larger divisions, the districts have the Area School's Press Conference (ASPC) before the DSPC.

History

In November 1931, the Public Secondary Schools Press Association (PSSPA) had its first convention in what was then Pasig, Rizal. The PSSPA was founded by a high school principal, Ricardo Castro, and had 17 original member schools. During this first convention, writing competitions for the different sections of a school paper were held. The tradition continued year after year, as the number of member-schools increased, with different parts of Luzon as venues. After World War II, the PSSPA was reorganized and 49 member-schools participated in the National Convention held in Manila, Philippines.

By 1955, the PSSPA Convention had become the National Secondary Schools Press Conference. On January 10 and 11 of that year, 70 member-schools attended the conference in Bacolod. The individual competitions were open to all members, while the group competitions were held according to category. Group A for the group competitions was composed of those member-schools with populations of 1,500 and above, while Group B was composed of those member-schools with populations below 1,500. At that same conference, the National Secondary Schools Press Advisers Association was organized and it then passed a resolution calling for the authorization of staff members to handle school paper funds, subject to accounting. The resolution was subsequently approved by the Bureau of Public Schools.

In 1957, a third group classification was added. Group A members were schools with over 3,000 population; Group B members had populations ranging from 1,500 to below 3,000; while Group C members had below 1,500 population. During this year, the conference was held for a longer time, enabling the delegates to take part in longer educational tours of the host locality. A year later, the group classifications were again reorganized, placing schools with over 2,000 population in Group A, those with 1,000 to 2,000 population in Group B, and those with less than 1,000 in Group C. During this year, a Public School Circular was passed authorizing the solicitations of advertisements for school papers, under certain conditions.

In 1991, Republic Act No. 7079 was passed by Congress, aiming to promote campus journalism. The 50th National Secondary Schools Press Conference was held in early 1993 at Rizal High School in Pasig, the same locality that hosted the first PSSPA Convention. The next school year, 1993–1994, elementary schools were included in the convention, causing the word "secondary" to be dropped and the convention to be called the "National Schools Press Conference".

In December 1993, the National Schools Press Conference was to be held in Koronadal, South Cotabato for the first time. However, a week before the convention, when all preparations had been made and the host schools and municipalities were awaiting the arrival of the delegates, there was a bombing incident at Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. The Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports at that time, Armand Fabella, declared this sufficient grounds to move the convention to Baguio, prompting a storm of protest from then South Cotabato Governor Hilario de Pedro III, who had been one of the sponsors of the Campus Journalism Act when he was Representative of the 2nd District of South Cotabato, and then Representative Daisy Avance-Fuentes. This controversy caused the Southern Mindanao delegation to boycott the Baguio conference. Shortly afterwards, Ricardo Gloria replaced Fabella as Education Secretary, and in December 1994 the 52nd National Schools Press Conference was held at Koronadal National Comprehensive High School. In its 65th year, the annual NSPC was held in Koronadal in South Cotabato.

DepEd Director Joyce Andaya, said during the culmination of the 2019 NSPC, in Lingayen,^{[ citation needed ]} that there is a scheme DepEd follows to come up with a host. In 4 years, they must have a record of 2 Luzon, 1 Visayas and 1 Mindanao hosts.

Venues

The NSPC has been held in different locations across the country. The NSPC is scheduled annually in the middle of the month of March. Recently under DepEd Order 26 s. 2010, it was moved to the second week of April synchronizing all the culminating activities in all competitions as "Festival of Talents". Following is a list of past venues of the NSPC:

As per Joyce Andaya, DepEd Director, Cagayan Valley, particularly Tuguegarao will host the 99th anniversary of Campus Journalism in the Philippines.

Year	Host region	Host city/municipality	Date	Theme
2024	Central Visayas	Carcar City, Cebu	July 8–12, 2024	"Galing, Talino at Husay ng mga Batang Makabansa sa Diwa ng MATATAG na Adhika"
2023	Northern Mindanao	Cagayan de Oro ^[2]	July 17–20, 2023	"From Campus Journalism to Real World Journalism Shaping Minds from Schools to Societies"
2020	Cagayan Valley	Tuguegarao ^[3]	March 9–13, 2020	"Empowering Communities through Campus Journalism"
2019	Ilocos Region	Lingayen, Pangasinan ^[4]	January 28-February 1, 2019	"Fostering 21st Century Skills and Character-Based Education through Campus Journalism"
2018	Central Visayas	Dumaguete	February 19–23, 2018	"Embracing ASEAN Integration: Campus Journalists' Role in Advancing Inclusive Education"
2017	Zamboanga Peninsula	Pagadian	January 22–25, 2017	"Strengthening Freedom of Information through Campus Journalism"
2016	Soccsksargen	Koronadal ^[5]^[6]	February 22–26, 2016	"The Role of the 21st Century Campus Journalists in Upholding Good Governance, Leadership and Transparency"^[5]^[6]
2015	Metro Manila	Taguig	April 13–17, 2015	"Empowering Resilient Communities through Campus Journalism"
2014	Central Luzon	Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo	April 7–10, 2014	"Campus Journalism and Transformational Leadership"
2013	Eastern Visayas	Ormoc	April 7–12, 2013	"Campus Journalists: Championing Ethics In Social Media"
2012	Mimaropa	Puerto Princesa ^[7]	April 9–13, 2012	"Promoting Digital Literacy Through Campus Journalism"
2011	Caraga	Butuan	April 11–15, 2011	"Freedom of Expression: A Right and Responsibility"
2010	Davao Region	Tagum	February 22–26, 2010	"Campus Journalism as a Catalyst for Change: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2050"
2009	Bicol Region	Naga, Camarines Sur	February 14–21, 2009	"Climate Change: A Call for Responsible Campus Journalism"
2008	Soccsksargen	Koronadal ^[8]	February 18–22, 2008	"Promoting Consumer's Rights Through Campus Journalism"
2007	Cordillera Administrative Region	Baguio	February 19–23, 2007	"Promoting A Culture of Peace Through Responsible Journalism"
2006	Western Visayas	Kalibo, Aklan	February 20–24, 2006	"Responsible and Quality Campus Journalism: Gearing Up to the Challenges of Schools First Initiative
2005	Caraga	Surigao City	February 21–25, 2005	"Redirection of Values for Nation Building Through Campus Journalism"
2004	Calabarzon	Santa Cruz, Laguna	February 24–27, 2004	"Responsible Campus Journalism for A Strong Republic"
2003	Central Visayas	Lapu-Lapu	February 24–27, 2003	"Expanding the Reach of Campus Journalism Through Information and Communication Technology"
2002	Soccsksargen	General Santos	February 4–7, 2002
2001	Ilocos Region	Dagupan		"Promoting Campus Journalism for National Solidarity and Respect for Cultural Diversity"
2000	Eastern Visayas	Tacloban	February 7–11, 2000	"Challenges to the Press Freedom in the New Millennium"
1999	Cagayan Valley	Ilagan	February 8–12, 1999
1998	Northern Mindanao	Tangub	November 30 - December 4, 1997	"Pole Vaulting for Literary-Journalistic Excellence"
1997	Cagayan Valley	Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya
1996	Western Visayas	Victorias ^[9]	December 2–6, 1996	""Campus Journalists: A Dynamic Force in Promoting the Year of the Heroes""
1995	Central Luzon	Malolos
1994	Soccsksargen	Koronadal
1993	Cordillera Administrative Region	Baguio
1993	Metro Manila	Pasig
1992	Bicol Region	Naga, Camarines Sur
1991	Eastern Visayas	Leyte

Training and development

Students who will compete in the National Schools Press Conference attend seminars before the actual competition. Preparation for the NSPC starts at the Division Level with the Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC). The editorial members of campus papers in a division compete in English or Filipino in different categories. The top ten or top five, depending on the region, who will win for each category in each language medium are then qualified for the Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC). The next two winners are considered alternate qualifiers. Next, the top three winners of the RSPC will advance into the National Level, again with the next top two as alternates.

Contest	Category
Contest	English	Filipino
Individual	News Writing	Pagsulat ng Balita
	Editorial Cartooning	Paglalarawang Tudling
	Editorial Writing	Pagsulat ng Pangulong Tudling
	Editorial Column Writing	Pagsulat ng Kolumn
	Feature Writing	Pagsulat ng Lathalain
	Sports Writing	Pagsulat ng Balitang Pampalakasan
	Copyreading and Headline Writing	Pagwawasto ng Sipi at Pag-uulo ng Balita
	Photojournalism	Pagkuha ng Larawang Pampahayagan
	Science and Technology Writing	Pagsulat ng Balitang Agham at Teknolohiya
Group	Radio Broadcasting & Script Writing	Ulat Panradyo at Pagsulat ng Iskrip
	Television Broadcasting & Script Writing	Ulat Pantelebisyon at Pagsulat ng Iskrip
	Collaborative Desktop Publishing	Collaborative Desktop Publishing
	Online Publishing	Online Publishing

On October 6, 1999, however, Education Secretary Andrew Gonzales issued DECS Memorandum No. 437, Series of 1999, which stated that a contestant could participate in only two events and in only one medium provided that the two events did not conflict with each other. This was amended in 2002 with the issuance of DepEd Memorandum No. 4, Series of 2002, on January 11, 2002, by Education Secretary Raul Roco. DM No. 4 provided that a pupil or student could participate in a maximum of four events but in only one medium, and that there should be seven winners for every category from every region.

The News Reporting and Desktop Publishing categories were first introduced in 2003, with a demonstration having been held at the previous year's NSPC. The DepEd memorandum for this same year states that a student may opt to participate in as many categories as he is able within the same medium provided there are no conflicts in the schedule.

The 2012 National Schools Press Conference had a focus on digital literacy and its use in campus journalism, with a collaborative publishing contest launched, involving teams of seven students making a four-page tabloid using Microsoft Publisher and Adobe InDesign.^[10]

Starting on the 2016 National Schools Press Conference, a new group contest was added, the Television Broadcasting and Script Writing, wherein like its radio counterpart the participating students stimulated a live TV newscast from anchoring to production. It started as an exhibitional contest and eventually became a formal group contest in 2017.

Related Research Articles

South Cotabato, officially the Province of South Cotabato, and since 2019, South Cotabato was renamed in the Province as Cotabato del Sur , is a province in the Philippines located in the Soccsksargen region in Mindanao. Its capital is Koronadal, and it borders Sultan Kudarat to the north and west, Sarangani to the south and northeast, and Davao del Sur to the far northeast. To the southeast lies Sarangani Bay.

Soccsksargen, formerly known as Central Mindanao, is an administrative region of the Philippines, designated as Region XII. Located in south-central Mindanao, its name is an acronym that stands for the region's four provinces and one highly urbanized city. The regional center is in Koronadal, located in the province of Cotabato del Sur, and the center of commerce and industry is General Santos, which is the most populous city in the region.

New Era University (NEU) is a private educational institution in the Philippines, run by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC). Although it is associated with the INC, it is a non-sectarian university. Its main campus is at New Era, Quezon City, within the Central Office Complex of the INC. Aside from its flagship Quezon City campus, it has four other campuses around the Philippines, including one in San Fernando City (Pampanga), in Lipa City (Batangas), in General Santos, and in Baras (Rizal).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quezon City Science High School</span> Public high school in Quezon City, Philippines

Quezon City Science High School is the Regional Science High School for the National Capital Region. It is the premier science high school of Quezon City and is regarded as among the prestigious science triumvirate of the Republic of the Philippines, along with the Philippine Science High School and Manila Science High School. It is located at Golden Acres Road, Corner Misamis Street, Bago-Bantay, Quezon City, Philippines. Founded on September 17, 1967, it was appointed as the Regional Science High School for the National Capital Region since 1998.

Isulan, officially the Municipality of Isulan, is a 1st class municipality and capital of the province of Sultan Kudarat, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 97,490 people.

Koronadal, officially the City of Koronadal, also known as Marbel, is a 1st class component city and capital of the province of South Cotabato, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 195,398 people.

José Rizal University, also referred to by its acronym JRU, is a private non-sectarian, non-stock coeducational basic and higher education institution located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines. It was founded in 1919 by Don Vicente Fabella, the Philippines' first certified accountant. José Rizal University is one of the schools situated in the east side of Mandaluyong, the others being the Plaridel Campus of Arellano University and Don Bosco Technical College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Divine Word College of San Jose</span> Roman Catholic college in Occidental Mindoro, Philippines

The Divine Word College of San Jose is a private, Catholic, coeducational basic and higher education institution run by the Philippine Central Province of the Society of the Divine Word or SVD in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. It holds the distinction of being the first and oldest educational institution in Mindoro island, even predating the island-province's separation in 1950 into two provinces by five years.

Quezon National High School (QNHS) is a major public secondary high school in Brgy. Ibabang Iyam, Lucena City, Philippines. It is one of the largest contingent national high schools in the Philippines, both by size and by population, with more than 11,000 enrollees from Grades 7 to Grade 12.

Notre Dame of Marbel University, also known by its acronym NDMU, is a private Catholic educational institution run by the Marist Brothers in Koronadal, South Cotabato, Philippines. It was founded in 1945 and offers pre-school, elementary, high school, college and postgraduate courses. It is the first Marist university in the Philippines since 1992, and it houses one of largest library in Southern Mindanao, known as NDMU Library. NDMU is the only university in Koronadal City and is considered to be the premier university and the prime academic institution in the province of South Cotabato. NDMU is a member of the Notre Dame Educational Association, a group of Notre Dame Schools in the Philippines under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, also the Patroness of the University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angeles City Science High School</span> Public high school in Angeles, Philippines

The Angeles City Science High School is a Secondary Public Science High School system located on Doña Aurora St., Lourdes Sur East, Angeles City, Philippines. It was founded in 2006. It is a DepEd-recognized science high school. It is also a K-12 Curriculum based school as pursuant to DepEd order.

Bayugan National Comprehensive High School (BNCHS) (Filipino:PambansangMataas na Paaralang Komprehinsibo ng Bayugan), popularly known as Compre, is a public, coeducational, comprehensive high school in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur, Philippines.

The Golden Pen Awards is the highest competition for budding writers (journalism) in both private and public schools in the Western Visayas, Philippines pursuant to the Sec. 1 Rule IX of Republic Act 7079 also known as Campus Journalism Act of 1991. The writing contest includes both students from the elementary and secondary level.

Jack & Jill School is a former preschool and elementary institution, which was located in Homesite and City Heights in Bacolod, the capital of Negros Occidental province of the Philippines. Informally referred to by its acronym "JJS", it was a private, non-sectarian, educational institution with an enrollment of more than 600 pupils. The out-of-town branch was located in Magsaysay St. in Victorias City.

Notre Dame - Siena School of Marbel is a Catholic institution in Koronadal City run by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and Congregation of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena. ND-SSM has been a member of the Notre Dame Educational Association, a group of Notre Dame Schools in the Philippines under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The San Jose City National High School is a public secondary school in San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, was established in 1944 with 321 students enrolled and with only a few teachers. Classes in those times were held in makeshift rooms constructed of bamboo and talahib. Other classes were conducted in unoccupied first floors of residential homes. Through the cooperative efforts of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and the community, an eight hectare lot was acquired and purchased through funds they were able to raise. Quonset huts made of cogon used by the Americans as barracks were used as temporary rooms. A warehouse made of sawali and GI sheets inside the campus was also converted into classrooms.

The Gusa Regional Science High School - X colloquially RegSci, GSci or RS, is the Regional Science High School for Region X - Northern Mindanao. It is a specialized public science high school supervised by the Department of Education located in Gusa, Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. It is the premier science high school of Northern Mindanao, and one of the two science high schools in the region, together with the Philippine Science High School Central Mindanao Campus. The school was established in 1994 as Gusa National High School - RSHS Annex. It became the Regional Science High School for Northern Mindanao in 2002 through the House Bill No. 3000 of the 15th Congress. From the name Gusa National High School-Regional Science High School Annex, it was then changed into Gusa Regional Science High School - X, through the RA 10267.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beta Sigma Omega Phi</span> Filipino collegiate fraternity and sorority

Beta Sigma Omega Phi is a service fraternity and sorority founded at University of Bohol on October 10, 1968. This was organized by Frank Paz Jr., Frederick Loor, and Remy Galbizo. Their aims were to foster lifetime brotherhood and sisterhood and to build noble leaders and better citizens. Members are encouraged to promote the welfare of students and to work for better and greater involvement in the affairs of the school as well as in the community. The organization facilitates a variety of community civic involvement, and services like tree planting, feeding programs, bloodletting, operation tuli, and lately the Brigada Eskwela. Betans 1968 have established 72 collegiate chapters throughout Philippines; most of these are on the island of Mindanao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jose Fabella Memorial School</span> Public school in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines

The Jose Fabella Memorial School is a public integrated special school located in Welfareville Compound, Mandaluyong in Metro Manila, Philippines. Founded on December 3, 1925 as the Welfareville School, it is one of the oldest educational institutions in Mandaluyong and currently one of the four public special schools in the Philippines. It serves as the umbrella organization of 12 special education units located in different parts of Metro Manila and Rizal and offers kindergarten, elementary, secondary, alternative learning system, and special education to regular learners and learners with special education needs.

Jhoanna Christine Burgos Robles, known mononymously as Jhoanna, is a Filipino actress and singer under Star Music. She is the leader of the Filipino girl group Bini.

References

↑ "Republic Act No. 7079". LawPhil Project. 5 July 1991. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
↑ Molina, Carlo Jacob (14 March 2020). "Cagayan De Oro City to host NSPC 2021". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
↑ "DepEd to host 2020 national campus journalism activity in Tuguegarao City". Manila Bulletin News. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
↑ "NSPC 2019 to be held in Lingayen, Pangasinan – DepEd". Manila Bulletin News. Retrieved 2020-04-11.
1 2 "DM 149, s. 2015 - 2016 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) | Department of Education". www.deped.gov.ph. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
1 2 "2016 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) - TeacherPH". TeacherPH. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-16. Retrieved 2012-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
↑ NSPC 2008 @ Koronal, Victory at National Schools Press Conference, Star Life March 02, 2008 edition
↑ "2018 National Schools Press Conference on Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.^{[ user-generated source ]}
↑ "DepEd pushes digital literacy in campus journalism".

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[1] "Republic Act No. 7079". LawPhil Project. 5 July 1991. Retrieved 5 January 2017.

[2] Molina, Carlo Jacob (14 March 2020). "Cagayan De Oro City to host NSPC 2021". newsinfo.inquirer.net. Retrieved 2020-04-11.

[3] "DepEd to host 2020 national campus journalism activity in Tuguegarao City". Manila Bulletin News. Retrieved 2020-04-11.

[4] "NSPC 2019 to be held in Lingayen, Pangasinan – DepEd". Manila Bulletin News. Retrieved 2020-04-11.

[:0-5] 1 2 "DM 149, s. 2015 - 2016 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) | Department of Education". www.deped.gov.ph. Retrieved 2016-02-27.

[:1-6] 1 2 "2016 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) - TeacherPH". TeacherPH. 3 December 2015. Retrieved 2016-02-27.

[7] "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-04-16. Retrieved 2012-04-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

[8] NSPC 2008 @ Koronal, Victory at National Schools Press Conference, Star Life March 02, 2008 edition

[9] "2018 National Schools Press Conference on Facebook". Facebook . Archived from the original on 2022-04-30.^{[ user-generated source ]}

[10] "DepEd pushes digital literacy in campus journalism".

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]