Published on March 3, 2025
Surigao City Pilot School took a bold step in shaping the next generation of journalists by
launching its Special Program in Journalism for Grade 4 learners this school year 2024-2025 to
nurture young journalists and ensuring its legacy as the home of champions in journalism.
Surigao City Pilot School was making waves in education with the launch of its highly anticipated
Special Program in Journalism.
Opening its doors to Grade 4 learners, the program was designed to foster the skills of future
journalists.
This initiative built on SCPS's proud reputation for excellence in journalism, offering students an
opportunity to hone their writing, reporting, and digital media skills from a young age.
The new program, which officially began this school year, welcomed students who passed a rigorous
qualifying exam held on July 20, 2024.
Only those who had 90% or higher average in both English and Filipino were selected to join this
exclusive program, setting the bar high for academic excellence.
Mr. Donald T. Arquiza, Principal III of SCPS, expressed his enthusiasm for the program, emphasizing
the importance of fostering well-rounded students who are prepared for the challenges of an
ever-changing digital landscape.
“This is the pioneering batch of our Special Program in Journalism, and it marks the beginning of a
new chapter in the school’s legacy.
These students will be our future journalists, and they will play a key role in representing our
school in competitions and media,” he said during the orientation with the parents before the
Qualifying Exam.
The SPJ program will offer Grade 4 students comprehensive journalism training, with special emphasis
on hands-on experience through school publications, writing workshops, and collaboration with
Division Schools Press Conference journalists training.
Students will be guided by Mrs. Krystell Lorenel A. Tuisa, the class adviser for the Grade 4 SPJ
Class, and Mrs. Merian De La Cruz, the SPJ Coordinator of SCPS
To ensure the program’s effectiveness, SCPS has scheduled the first validation of the program for
the first week of December 2024, led by Mr. Ricky Pedralba, the Education Program Supervisor for
English.
This validation will assess the program’s progress and success in developing student skills in
journalism.
SCPS’s new Special Program in Journalism is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the future of
young journalists, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed in media competitions and
beyond.
As the program expands, SCPS continues to be a leader in offering innovative educational
opportunities that empower students to excel in a variety of fields.
With this new initiative, SCPS looks forward to producing a new generation of talented and skilled
journalists ready to make their mark in the world of media.