PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

           The Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) is established to deepen the experiences and hone the journalistic skills and competencies of student-writers, reinforcing free and responsible journalism. The program supports Republic Act No. 7079, or the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which mandates that the Department of Education conduct and implement programs in various aspects of journalism.
      The SPJ is a four-year enrichment curriculum at the junior high school level designed to develop learners’ potential in mass communication, print, online, radio, and television broadcasting. It provides authentic experiences that promote ethical and responsible media practice while strengthening learners’ literacy, creativity, and critical thinking skills in alignment with the MATATAG Curriculum goals and 21st-century learning competencies.

Program Objectives

The learner demonstrates understanding of the basic principles and theories of journalism, its practices and techniques, and responsibly applies them as tools for effective communication and information. Specifically,

1. develop the journalistic skills of the SPJ students;

2. orient students on their different duties and responsibilities and in the different processes involved in the conceptualization and production of a school paper;

3. nurture talents in journalism/broadcast media through activities requiring critical & creative thinking;

4. strengthen ethical values on responsible journalism/broadcast media and freedom of the press;

5. produce high-quality outputs in the different categories of Campus Journalism that can be published in the issue of the school paper;

6. prepare different plans in accomplishing one’s assignment, duties, and responsibilities as part of the organization;

7. provide opportunities for the students to interact linguistically competent, suited for the workplace; and

8. expand the career opportunities and possibilities for employability among high school students.

Basic Qualification

Admission is open to the Grade 7 learners who have obtained an average of at least 85% in English and Filipino and a general average of 85% and above in Grade Six, who exhibit talent in journalism and who have passed the qualifying test and interview conducted by the school.

Retention:

In order for the learner to be retained in the program, he/ she should maintain an average of 85% in Journalism and 83% in the core subjects.

Transfer Policy:

      Transfer is allowed for learners who meet SPJ standards and have available slots. Those transferring from another SPJ school must provide certification of performance and a recommendation from the previous school.

Curriculum

Grade 7 - Basic Journalism learner demonstrates understanding of the basic principles, theories, practices, and techniques of print journalism, its history, legal and ethical standards by producing newsletters responsive to individual, community, societal, and global needs.

Grade 8: Print/ Online Publication learner demonstrates understanding of the advanced and broader applications of the concepts and techniques of print journalism by producing an eight-page printed or online news publication responsive to individual, community, societal, and global demands.

Grade 9: Radio Broadcasting learner demonstrates understanding of the practices, techniques, and fundamentals of broadcast journalism by producing radio news programs in response to the personal, school, and community needs.

Grade 10: TV Broadcasting learner demonstrates understanding of the practices, techniques, and fundamentals of broadcast journalism by producing TV news programs in response to personal, school, and community needs.

SPJ Teachers