Despite of the role that journalists need to face especially in our country where killings of journalists happen, some students still wanted to be a part of Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) curriculum that was implemented by Department of Education (DepEd) in 15 regional pilot high schools in year 2009. The program is designed to enhance their journalistic skills in terms of writing, mass communication and be a responsible journalist.

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 I can say that the SPJ curriculum is effective enough because many activities like press conferences and workshops were conducted in elementary and high schools. The specialization also have an additional subjects which are Journalism I and Advanced English that will be their  start with basic journalism and writing that helps young journalists hone their skills.

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Before starting the program, the DepEd Bureau of Secondary Education held a training workshop for teachers and school heads to prepare them for the program.

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According to Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, they anticipate the program to sow the seeds of integrity, hard work, and creativity in our youth, thus, build the foundation for developmental journalism more than the skills. This program is not only for the development of the student in SPJ curriculum, but also for people to be updated about the social issues, to expose all irregularities and correct the spreading fake news.

 

Schools conduct  culminating activities, press conference, and workshops to train them to become  a writer, broadcaster and reporter.

 

The Manila Times College (TMTC) conducted a course assessment for 28 students of Journalism and communication arts from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) and University of the Philippines Baguio (UP-Baguio) where the students learn basic news and feature writing to prepare them in their course.

 

One of the student named John Paul P. Domingo stated that he will rate the SPJ program as good, because it has shown him how journalism in the real world is done and it has prepared him to be a real watchdog of the truth.

 

I believe that the students of SPJ curriculum have media literacy which provides you with a framework to access, investigate and evaluate to build an understanding of the role of media in our society.

 

Journalists cannot make a news if they aren’t media literate. In the 21st century, technology makes it more easy to access information about news  inside and outside the country. That’s why the SPJ program become more effective because they can publish articles through online easily. And with the help of competing in press conference, young journalists will improve more.