SPJ and SSC add specialized subjects to strengthen

curricular offerings

Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) and Special Science Class (SSC) students of Ocampo National High
School included another subject in their current curriculum in order to reinforce their academic settings.

The SPJ of Ocampo National High School has two elective subjects, namely journalism and advanced
English.

“Currently, in SPJ, we have two elective subjects, specialized subjects. The first one, journalism, has been
offered since 2018, ‘nung nagstart mag offer ng SPJ ‘yung school. And, this year, we added another
subject, which is advanced English, but ‘yung previous pangalan niya is intensive grammar. ”Sir Darwin O.
Sentillas, Grade 10 SPJ adviser, said in an interview.

These topics in advanced English are divided into four areas according to grade level.

Grade 7: Reading and Writing

Grade 8: Public Speaking

Grade 9: Technical Writing

Grade 10: Research Paper Writing

“Last year, ako ‘yung coordinator ng SPJ, and then sabi ko ang pinaka problema ko last year is that
mahina ‘yung mga SPJ [students] hindi naman sa mahina, but there’s a problem in grammar that should
be addressed very soon. That’s why I decided, as a former SPJ coordinator, to include the advanced
English curriculum namin [SPJ] and ngayon iniimplement na siya. “, he said.

This move is based on the guidelines of the Manual of Operations for Special Programs in Journalism
(SPJ) mandated by the Department of Education Bureau of Curriculum Development. It supports R.A.
7079, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which orders the Department of
Education “to conduct and implement programs in various aspects of journalism,”

This program intends to strengthen the students skills in journalism and mass communication,
particularly in print and broadcast media.

This course follows the following learning standards:

Journalism 7: Basic Principles, Theories, Practices, and Techniques of Print Journalism

Journalism 8: Advanced and Broader Applications of the Concepts and Techniques of Print Journalism
Journalism 9: Practices, Techniques, and Fundamentals of Broadcast Journalism

Journalism 10: Practices, Techniques, and Fundamentals of Broadcast Journalism

“I believe and am very confident that this move by adding elective subjects to the curriculum will really
help them to show off their skills, not just in writing and broadcasting but in many areas of the
curriculum, so I guess it is a big help for them,” Sentillas concluded.

On the other hand, The Special Science Class of ONHS has been offering elective or specialized subjects
in science for the past few years.

The specialized subjects being offered are anchored on the DepEd guidelines of STE/SSC schools.

“Based from the deped order #55, S. In 2010, the core subjects offered in the curriculum will be
entangled by the additional subjects identified in the devised curriculum. Subject offerings are based on
Deped Order #41, S. 2004. This mandate guided the department on what subjects to include in the
special program.”,” 10 SSC adviser Ma’am Jo Angeli I. Ong said.

Every grade level has different subjects that must be taken by the students.

Grade 7: Environmental Science and Mathematical Investigations

Grade 8: Biotechnology and Mathematical Investigation

Grade 9: Consumer Chemistry: Mathematical Investigation

Grade 10: Mathematical Investigation

However, research is considered a regular subject for SSC.

“Guided by the SSC mission and vision, the students can develop their full potential, most especially in
science, math, and research. Students may have become more responsible and morally upright since
they have skills in specific areas. “, she added. “This will be realized through the effort of the teachers
teaching the specialized subjects.”

The school head, along with the department heads of science and mathematics, concur to include
another subject for mathematics, such as advanced math for grades 7 and 8 to 10.

“This huge step made by the authorities is somewhat awful or distressing for both students and parents
because of the additional subject in their curriculum… SSC students are clever and resilient; thus, adding
specialized subjects would enable them to have a deeper understanding of the material they were
currently studying,” Ma’am Alyn B. Colocar, a Grade 9 SSC adviser, said.

According to her, this decision to add another specialized subject to their curriculum adheres to a
fulfillment contained in its mission to become the center of excellence in science, mathematics, and
research and create globally competitive learners to address the huge problem of low performance
levels in science and math in the divisible and in the country.

SPJ and SSC is a four-year course in high school where this special curriculum gives the students learning
about different areas, including writing and broadcasting in journalism, science, research, and
mathematics.