Project CST: Empowering School Paper Advisers for Enhanced Performance in Press Conference

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

In the edge of continuous competitions in Campus Journalism, every School Paper Adviser & every Student Journalist is aiming at bringing home the much-coveted award in a category that is being in the top list. This brings the school paper advisers at the forefront of preparing and equipping their student journalists to face the challenge of winning & outshining hundreds of competitors. Assessment of the existing knowledge and skills of SPAs in the District of Ibaan in the elementary level & the assessment of the problems and factors affecting the performance of the SPAs in training student journalists for competitions are the focus of this paper.

METHODS

The descriptive method was used in this study, 16 elementary public schools' SPAs were the participants. They were asked to give data & information with regards to their tasks and duties. Small Group Discussion (SGD) & Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were done to verify gathered data.

RESULTS

It was revealed that SPAs had been performing their duties from a range of 2 to 16 years already and the skills & knowledge of SPAs are not on the same level. Some SPAs have limitations in performing their duties since not all of them had the opportunity to undergo recent and hands-on training that will enhance and update their knowledge in campus journalism. They spend from 1 to 7 hours training in preparation for competitions while 3 out of the 16 SPAs don't have year-round activities intended for the development of their journalists. It was noted that some SPAs only conduct training for student journalists if there is an upcoming competition. The top 3 problems that the SPAs encountered were: insufficient time performing their task due to other ancillary works; lack of updated and hands-on training in campus journalism; and insufficient fund/budget to support training & producing the school paper.

DISCUSSIONS

Mentoring from a long time & new SPAs must be done to have an exchange of best practices in managing the school paper and training of student journalists. A year-round activity for the student journalists must be provided for continuous training and improvement of their skills. An Annual Enhancement activity for School Paper Advisers must also be provided to update them with new trends in Campus Journalism. School heads should also consider the duties and responsibilities of SPAs before assigning additional ancillary works. In this way, the effective execution of duties and responsibilities related to being a School Paper Adviser will be realized.