The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced it’s all system go for the 2026 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) which will be held from April 13 to 17 in Ormoc City, Leyte.
With the theme “Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag,” the NSPC highlights the important role of schools and teachers in guiding students to become responsible journalists in a complex media environment.
The annual event serves as a national stage for the best campus journalists in the country.
The contestants are composed of regional winners who competed in individual and group competitions in writing, visual journalism, publishing, mobile, and broadcast categories.
“Sa panahon ngayon kung saan napakabilis kumalat ang impormasyon, mas mahalaga ang papel ng kabataang mamamahayag na marunong magsuri at manindigan sa katotohanan.”
“Sa panahon ngayon kung saan napakabilis kumalat ang impormasyon, mas mahalaga ang papel ng kabataang mamamahayag na marunong magsuri at manindigan sa katotohanan,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.
“Ang NSPC ay isang paghuhubog ng mga kabataang magiging tagapagtanggol ng katotohanan sa hinaharap,” Angara added.
To further support schools and advisers, DepEd introduced several changes like transferring the School Paper Contest to a single exhibition format. The exhibit features the best publication per region, giving wider opportunities to see the works of students and encouraging the exchange of knowledge among campus journalists and teachers.
Participants are limited to only the Top 1 regional qualifiers to better manage funding and time in teaching, while maintaining the prestige of the national competition.
“The continuous growth of the NSPC format is part of the wider goal of having national programs that are responsive to the needs of the schools.”
According to the DepEd, the continuous growth of the NSPC format is part of the wider goal of having national programs that are responsive to the needs of the schools. It also gives recognition to the talents of students without sacrificing the continuity in learning, the welfare of teachers and the efficient use of resources.
The agency added that the changes made are in response to the recommendation of advisers and school heads asking for exclusive and more meaningful format in campus
journalism.
The 2026 NSPC is led by DepEd Region VIII, in partnership with the Schools Division of Ormoc City and the City Government of Ormoc.
The five-day activity also gives opportunity to have better understanding and collaboration among teachers, students and delegates from different regions.
