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. 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 until 2025). 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, 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 Theme2027TBATBAApril 19-23, 2027TBA2026Eastern VisayasOrmoc City, LeyteApril 13-17, 2026"Mapanuri, Mapanindigan, at Mapanagutang Pamamahayag"2025Ilocos RegionVigan City, Ilocos SurMay 19–23, 2025 "Empowering Filipino Youth: Unleashing Potentials in Journalism and Creative Industries in the Era of AI"2024Central VisayasCarcar City, CebuJuly 8–12, 2024"Galing, Talino at Husay ng mga Batang Makabansa sa Diwa ng MATATAG na Adhika"2023Northern MindanaoCagayan de OroJuly 17–20, 2023"From Campus Journalism to Real World Journalism Shaping Minds from Schools to Societies"2022Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic2021Not held due to COVID-19 pandemic2020Cagayan ValleyTuguegaraoMarch 9–13, 2020"Empowering Communities Through Campus Journalism"2019Ilocos RegionLingayen, PangasinanJanuary 28–February 1, 2019"Fostering 21st Century Skills and Character-Based Education through Campus Journalism"2018Central VisayasDumagueteFebruary 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 February 22–26, 2016 "The Role of the 21st Century Campus Journalists in Upholding Good Governance, Leadership and Transparency" 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 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 KoronadalNSPC 2008 @ Koronal,Victory at National Schools Press Conference , Star Life March 02, 2008 edition 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 "Raising Campus Journalism Standards by Harnessing the Potentials of Information Technology (IT)" 2001 Ilocos Region Dagupan February 5–9, 2001"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, 1998 "Pole Vaulting for Literary-Journalistic Excellence" 1997 Cagayan Valley Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya December 1–5, 1997 1996 Western Visayas Victorias 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 District level for public schools with the District Schools Press Conference. Then, towards 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 three, 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 first placer of the RSPC will advance into the National Level, again with the next top two as alternates.
Contest English Filipino Individual News Writing Pagsulat ng Balita Editorial Writing Pagsulat ng Editoryal Editorial Cartooning Paglalarawang Tudling Column Writing Pagsulat ng Kolum Feature Writing Pagsulat ng Lathalain Science and Technology Writing Pagsulat ng Agham at Teknolohiya Sports Writing Pagsulat ng Isports Copyediting and Headline Writing Pagwawasto ng Sipi at Pag-uulo ng Balita Photojournalism Pampahayagang Larawan Mobile Journalism Pampahayagang Pangtelepono Group Radio Scriptwriting and Broadcasting Pagsulat ng Iskrip sa Radyo at Pagsasahimpapawid TV Scriptwriting and Broadcasting Pagsulat ng Iskrip sa Telebisyon at Pagsasahimpapawid Collaborative Desktop Publishing Sama-samang Paglalathala gamit ang Desktop Online Publishing Paglalathala sa Online
Individual News Writing – the writing event consists on the creation of articles focused on significant topics gathered. Editorial Cartooning – similar to postermaking, the event involves sketching a cartoon that emphasizes a certain theme. Editorial Writing – in this category, participants express opinions on relevant issues, crafting persuasive arguments supported by facts. Column Writing – participants craft opinion columns that offer insightful commentary on pressing issues, blending personal voice with factual support to persuade and inform readers. Feature Writing – participants produce in‑depth, human‑interest stories that explore significant topics through detailed research, interviews, and narrative storytelling techniques. Sports Writing – participants report on athletic events and profiles, delivering accurate play‑by‑play accounts, statistics, and insightful analysis of games and athletes. Copyediting and Headline Writing – participants proofread provided copy for grammar, style, and accuracy, then create concise, engaging headlines that effectively capture the essence of the story.