1) The document discusses the importance of school publications for developing students' writing skills and talents according to the Campus Journalism Act of 1991. 2) School publications allow students to express themselves, think critically about issues, and cultivate skills in various types of writing. 3) Advisers play a key role in training and motivating student journalists to perform well through diligence and imparting their knowledge and experience in competitions.

1. The School Publication
By Vilma T. Fuentes
Adviser of “Ang Spring”
Bangcud National High School
Not all are born to become a
writer or a journalist. Not all have the
wisdom and skills in this field.
For whom is this destined to?
What are the skills a man must have
in order to be a journalist? In what
way does this skill can be improved in
a student?
Under the Republic Act 7079
also known as the Campus Journalism
Act of 1991 which was approved last
July 5 in the year 1991, stated that developing one’s skill in writing of the students should be
given importance. The managing of contests, press conferences, and trainings or seminars
for student journalists, writers, and advisers of the school publication was given to the
Department of Education (DepEd). It is also included in this law that the school publication
could get enough funding and that is coming from the students of the school. Under the
DepEd Order No.19, s.2008, the contribution of the students should be Php 90.00 for the
secondary and Php 60.00 for the elementary. Enough money in order to fund activities like
joining conferences and publishing of the school paper which include news about events,
activities, programs, and award that were taken or collected by the institution.
Why is there a need to have a school publication in every school? What are its
purposes? How can this be done?
There are many advantages that a school publication can give to the students. It can
help a student discover his skill in writing and can know his talent more. Hence, the main
purpose of this is to give a chance to students to improve or cultivate their knowledge about
creative writing. By subjecting themselves in this field, they can express their selves more
and can give their thoughts about the issues inside and outside of the school. They can think
ways about different matters in the institution they are in and also, matters which is about
their country. In this field, they can grow their love for the country, in God and can fight
their stand and principles with determination, and fighting for what is right and writing what
is true which was transcribed in the Journalism Creed.
The learnings of the student in school publication can be enriched by teaching them
new strategies in writings. Because of this, we can connect to other field of knowledge or
any form of writing such as writing News, Editorial, Article, Sports, Science, Copy reading
and Headline writing, Lay outing , Cartooning and also in Radio Broadcasting. Through this,
the hidden talent in writing of the students can be shown and that they will trust
themselves that there really have the skills. If this skill can be developed there will be a big

2. impact to the life of the student. They will reach the dreams to make a progress in
themselves and in their country if this skill will be used properly.
Through the Kagawaran ng Edukasyon which launched an annual competition from
Division Schools Press Conference (DSPC), Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), to
National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) , every school are expected to join in order for
them to showcase the skills of their writer from their school .
There is a big connection between the performance of a student journalist and how
their adviser trains them. What are the motivations or strategies that could be possibly used
so that their skills in journalism would be developed and cultivated to achieve awards in
every competition in writing.
Being an adviser is not a simple task, not just time but also diligence, perseverance
and being rich in knowledge are needed to be an effective adviser. These are the ingredients
that would serve as a weapon in order to achieve a victory everyone’s aiming for.
Furthermore, the word surrender is not in the vocabulary of an adviser. S/he should have
wisdom and knowledge that s/he would give to the students. Just like in saying, “You can’t
give something if you don’t have it. “
Determination and discipline in oneself are required in achieving success. The
dedication, commitment and passion are in the heart of the teacher, by this s/he could give
any skills s/he has because of her/his love in writing and also, to the student journalists.
It is a responsibility and an obligation of an adviser to develop and widen the hidden
wisdom of the students s/he is training in order to make them part of the media. Not just
because we are called an adviser but because of our commitment in shaping their
intelligence as a journalist and also to gain awards in the conferences and other
competitions that is connected or about writing.
Being an adviser, I have proven to myself that in this field, the purpose of an adviser
and a student journalist is to achieve success and victory in the following conferences. The
success is on the hands of every student, especially in individual competitions with the help
of their adviser which have the knowledge about the Division Schools Press Conference
(DSPC), Regional Schools Press Conference (RSPC), and National Schools Press Conference
(NSPC).