In line with the goal of delivering quality, relevant, inclusive, and responsive basic education, and in full support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 5-Point Agenda, the Curriculum and Teaching (CT) Strand, through the Bureau of Curriculum Development (BCD) and the Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), will hold the 2025 National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) in Region I from May 19–23, 2025.
This year’s event carries the powerful theme:
"Empowering Filipino Youth: Unleashing Potentials in Journalism and Creative Industries in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI)."
It underscores the urgency of preparing students to excel in journalism and thrive in creative industries by integrating AI tools, adaptive learning, and innovation into their skillset.
✍️📰 INDIVIDUAL CONTESTS: A Stage for Budding Journalists to Shine
The Individual Contest is where young talents express their voice and sharpen their writing craft across a wide spectrum of journalistic disciplines. Open to elementary and secondary learners, in both English and Filipino, it builds foundational and advanced communication skills vital for the 21st century.
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News Writing – Reporting timely and objective events with clarity and depth.
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Feature Writing – Human-centered stories that captivate and inspire.
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Editorial Writing – Persuasive writing that fosters critical thinking and opinion formulation.
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Sports Writing – Capturing high-energy events with accuracy and excitement.
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Copyreading and Headline Writing – Emphasizing precision, grammar mastery, and creativity in titles.
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Science and Technology Writing – Demystifying complex innovations, especially in fields like AI.
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Photojournalism – Storytelling through impactful visuals and keen observation.
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Editorial Cartooning – Artistic expression that reflects social commentary.
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Column Writing – Voice-driven journalism tackling issues with depth and personality.
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Mobile Journalism (Exhibition for Secondary Level Only) – Leveraging smartphones to produce real-time, multimedia news—an essential skill in the AI-driven digital age.
📻💻 GROUP CONTESTS: Teamwork in the Digital Newsroom
The Group Contests simulate real-life newsroom collaboration, preparing students for future careers in broadcasting, publishing, and digital journalism.
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Radio Script Writing and Broadcasting (English & Filipino, Elementary & Secondary) – Training for audio storytelling, from scripting to delivery.
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Collaborative Desktop Publishing (CDP) – Layout, design, and article writing in one seamless workflow.
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Online Publishing (Secondary only) – Prepares students for the fast-paced world of web journalism and digital content creation.
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TV Script Writing and Broadcasting (Secondary only) – Visual journalism at its best, from concept to screen.
These contests reflect efficient learning delivery, one of DepEd’s priorities, through hands-on, performance-based education.
🗞️📄 SCHOOL PAPER CONTEST: Championing Campus Press Excellence
In a digital-first format, the School Paper Contest invites entries in PDF from both elementary and secondary schools in English and Filipino. Entries will be judged on content, creativity, design, and relevance across:
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News Section
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Features Section
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Editorial Section
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Science and Technology Section
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Sports Section
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Layout and Page Design
This category helps shape a future-ready workforce by encouraging students to critically engage with their communities and global trends—like the influence of artificial intelligence on media.
🏅🌟 HONORING THE BEST: Celebrating SPAs and CJs
No celebration of excellence is complete without recognizing the dedicated mentors and passionate learners behind every success. The NSPC includes the Awarding of Outstanding School Paper Advisers (SPAs) and Campus Journalists (CJs)—individuals who exemplify the values of dedication, ethics, and resilience in campus journalism.
🤖 Why NSPC 2025 Is More Relevant Than Ever
The 2025 NSPC, alongside the National Festival of Talents (NFOT), recognizes that we are entering a transformative era. As artificial intelligence reshapes the media landscape, this year's theme calls on the youth to:
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Adapt to evolving tools and platforms
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Think critically and ethically
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Create meaningful stories that resonate
In alignment with DepEd’s vision for an enabling learning environment, the NSPC fosters not just skills—but character, innovation, and a deep sense of social responsibility.