SDO holds journalism training for SPAs in the new normal

The Schools Division Office San Juan City conducted an online training-workshop for the school paper advisers (SPAs) and selected Master Teachers on March 9, 16, and 30, 2022 via MS Teams. It featured veteran journalists who served as trainers to a total of 44 teacher participants, some of whom were new to campus journalism.

In her message, Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Cecille G. Carandang thanked the organizers headed by Curriculum Implementation Division (CID) Chief Dr. Helen G. Padilla and the focal persons, Filipino Supervisor Ms. Eulafel C. Pascual and English Supervisor Ms. Marnelli B. Tolentino, for bringing in a pool of experts to enhance the journalistic competence and coaching strategies of the SPAs especially in the light of the changes in the information and communication technology. Part of her speech said, “Nawa’y manatili kayong bukas ang isipan sa mga pagbabagong nagaganap sa ating paligid upang maging matalas tayo sa ating mga binibitawang pahayag, ganundin sa pagdidisenyo ng mga gawain at aralin sa ating mga asignatura upang matulungan ang mga kabataang San Juaneno maging bahagi ng mga diskursong napapanahon at sila ay makabuo ng mga hakbang o sariling gawain upang makilahok sa pagbabagong hinihingi ng pagkakataon.”

The speakers shared practical tips on developing stories and news article in the different categories involved in campus journalism. These were Editorial Writing, Features, News, Sports, Photojournalism, Copyreading and Headline Writing, Editorial Cartooning, Online Publishing, Science and Technology Writing, Collaborative Publishing, and Radio Scriptwriting and Broadcasting. Some of them also described their experiences in covering issues, documentaries, and current affairs programs that depicted the necessary skillset to make a high-impact story that goes beyond journalism contests. These professional insights inspired the participants to ask questions during open forum on how they could transfer their learning to their coaching skills to their learners as well as in their personal consumption and production of media content. There were also speakers who were gracious enough to show their award-winning masterpieces and explained the merit of their works according to the metrics used in the press conferences being held in regional and even up to the national level. Another session looked into the preparations needed to capture photos that speak well to the audience. There was also a workshop style that provided clear steps on how to analyze winning points in developing a news article following time-tested formula and his personal favorites being a judge himself These were screenshots during the session on Feature Writing that tackled briefly what winning feature stories are made of and the newswriting category that explained the guidelines on a well-written news article deserving of a podium finish. in the category he was facilitating.

With all the tips, guidelines, anecdotes, and workshops conducted, the participants expressed joy and gratitude for the opportunity to refresh their knowledge and skills in campus journalism. Senior High School Teacher and the current president of the Division Association of School Paper Advisers, Ms. Marissa T. Acuna accepted the challenge on behalf of the participants. She stated, “With journalism, we get to preserve democracy especially at this time when we choose the next set of leaders for the country. We get to learn and discover the lessons behind people’s stories shown and understand different phenomena that happen around us. These things help us cultivate critical thinking among our learners and even us, as consumers of mass media. Thank you, SDO San Juan, for this worthwhile activity that deepened our understanding of the role we play as SPAs.”

Article written by:

Marnelli B. Tolentino

Education Program Supervisor - English

Schools Division Office - San Juan City