A number of young writers who were among the trainees in the journalism education programs we have conducted appear to be devastated.
The reason for their despair is the decision of the Negros Island Region office of the Department of Education to limit the participants in individual contests in the forthcoming Regional Schools Press Conference to only the No. 1 qualifier in the division-level competition.
Apparently, the most hurting are the second and third placers in the Division Press Conference who, in previous years, joined the top placer in the RSPC competition.
Compounding their emotional upheaval is the knowledge that in Region VI, the 10 top placers in the local elimination advanced to the RSPC.
Also hurting are the advisers who painstakingly trained the learners. And I learned, parents too.
We understand if the advisers and their superiors are publicly mum on the issue, considering that they observe the chain of command in their agency.
Some writers hint that they have been discouraged by mentors from posting their disappointments and questions, promoting one to ask me, “isn’t this contrary to the right to free expression that mentors espouse in discussions on standard journalistic practice?”
The impact of the decision may not be that hard if the decision on the downsized number of qualifiers was announced way earlier – before the division-level contests and not just last week, when the two other winners in each contest had also been looking forward to what could have been a once-in-a lifetime experience.
The regional memorandum cites three reasons for the decision.
1. The capacity of the venue
2. Available financial resources
3. Number of Technical Working Group members.
While the reasons do sound valid, we cannot help but raise some questions:
1. Why choose a host division that cannot accommodate, say, a thousand-plus participants? Or why hold it in a particular venue that has not enough room for the expected number of delegates?
2. Is the budget of NIR not enough because it’s a new region? (I’d like to refrain from commenting on this although I know that many parents are willing to share the burden).
3. On the number of the TWG members – can’t they be culled from the ranks of school paper advisers from the different divisions? Many advisers have the needed experience and know-how.
I personally know their capability as I have been conducting journalism trainings in the island through the years.
Likewise, when the NIR was first established in 2016, the RSPC was hosted in Bacolod City. I, being the head of the judges’ committee, worked smoothly with the TWC composed of advisers formed by the regional office.
A journalist friend calls the decision “a disappointing move (by whoever is responsible) that undermines the spirit of competition as opportunities for learning and building of character.”
In reaction to the regional memo, the young writers, through their organization, are appealing for a reconsideration. A number of them have also posted articles reflecting their conviction on the matter.
The editors’ plea is getting the support of the NIR College Editors Guild, which, in its statement said that it stands in solidarity with high school publications in their call to the DepEd to reconsider the decision to limit participation in individual contests to only the No. 1 placer.
CEGP, in its statement, emphasized that “inclusive and suitable opportunities for all student journalists are essential to sustaining a vibrant culture in journalism.”
Let’s pray that the young writers’ plea will be listened to and be acted upon favorably.
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Still on campus journalism…
A barangay in the southern part of the province, recently honored home-grown athletes who performed creditably in the division-level athletic meet. We join the officials in lauding the performance of the athletes during their barangay fiesta.
Such gesture is commendable, particularly in encouraging young people to pursue activities that allow their athletic skills to shine.
But wait… some students in the barangay high school also won in the Division Schools Press Conference. They, too, brought honors to the school and the barangay. And they deserve recognition by people in their home barangay.
They must have silently envied how plaudits were heaped on the winning athletes while their barangay and school officials forgot to acknowledge their hard-earned victory as award-winning campus journalists, who are among the best of the crop in the province.
They, too, worked just as hard, as the athletes, or maybe more, considering that many of them write their articles often deep into the night, when all others are already asleep.
Better late, than never, Sir/Ma’am, the recognition due them.
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Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. (Ecclesiastes 11:9) | NWI
