THE DEPARTMENT of Education opened the National Schools Press Conference and National Festival of Talents in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday.

This year’s NSPC and NFOT aim to provide a platform to strengthen teachers’ and learners’ creativity, talent and communication skills.

In a written message to the delegates, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio said that the youth can shape a brighter future by raising awareness, staying informed and taking action with like-minded individuals.

Headed by the Curriculum and Teaching strand through the Bureau of Curriculum Development and Bureau of Learning Delivery, this year’s NSPC and NFOT highlight the comeback of its face-to-face contests and exhibition three years after Covid19 hit the country.

Various contests and exhibitions will be held from July 17 to 21, 2023, including news writing, TV/radio scriptwriting and broadcasting, and photojournalism contests for NSPC.

Meanwhile, NFOT participants will compete in Sining Tanghalan, story retelling, Filipino Sign Language, Braille Reading, and Technolympics, among others.

“Both NSPC and NFOT give a chance for our learners to showcase their talents. This also allows us to assess what we are doing to improve the learning outcomes of our students. With the new direction for basic education, we make sure that the conduct of the NSPC and NFOT culminating activities are aligned in keeping with our MATATAG Agenda—to MAke our curriculum relevant for lifelong learning and TAke good care of our learners to promote their welfare regardless of their background and social status, among other things,” Undersecretary for Curriculum and Teaching Gina Gonong said.

The 2023 NSPC and NFOT are hosted by DepEd Region X-Northern Mindanao led by Regional Director Arturo B. Bayocot.

DepEd gathered support from the local leaders of Northern Mindanao through Provincial Governor Peter Unabia and Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando “Klarex” Uy.