PH student leaders champion innovative, inclusive DepEd agenda at LearnCon ‘25

As part of its annual push to strengthen student leadership, the Department of Education (DepEd) gathered over 2,000 student leaders nationwide starting Oct. 27 for the 2025 Learners’ Convergence (LearnCon) PH, spotlighting the department’s five-point reform agenda.

The agenda, launched earlier this year by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, prioritizes curriculum modernization together with effective student governance and inclusive education, which are key themes at this year’s event.

Delegates from formal and alternative learning systems (ALS) will spend four days in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, covering leadership, civic engagement, peace, health, gender inclusion, culture, climate action, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

This year, the event showed to have more emphasis on student leaders from indigenous peoples (IP) communities and learners with disabilities (LWDs), where they also addressed programs aimed at empowering their schools and communities.

In line with the theme “#GalingKabataan: Boses Mo, Bukas Natin,” Angara urged participants to maximize the platform to exchange ideas, collaborate with peers, and drive initiatives for meaningful change.

“Dito ninyo maipapahayag ang inyong mga saloobin tungkol sa mga isyung panlipunan, makapagpepresenta ng inyong mga proyekto, at pakikilahok sa mga workshop, thematic sessions, at Project Pitching Exercises. Gamitin ninyo ang pagkakataong ito para magtanong, makinig, at magbahagi,” Angara said.

Wider opportunity exploration for students

The event featured multiple segments, including the Learners’ Congress, which trained student leaders in policymaking, governance, and civic engagement, allowing them to identify youth issues and craft policy recommendations.

They will also be also given the opportunity to employ skills in crafting policies and ideas in front of experts in Project Pitching Sessions, along with a Youth Leaders Forum with government officials and private sector stakeholders.

This school year, the National Career Expo (NCEx) Kick-Off was concurrently launched with the LearnCon 2025 on Oct. 28, introducing opportunities to Filipino students in their career and scholarship ventures.

A series of Career Talks for students was held in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment, Commission on Higher Education, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
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The NCEx also launched the LANDAS Toolkit, guiding learners to set goals, make informed choices, and plan their careers through values-based activities.

Delayed release of guidelines

Set into place on Oct. 14 through DepEd Memorandum No. 96, s. 2025, the 2025 Learners’ Convergence (LearnCon) PH is the department’s largest national face-to-face gathering for student engagement and leadership development.

However, the event drew criticism from former National Federation of Supreme Secondary Learner Government (NFSSLG) officers, who called its preparation “disappointing” due to the late release of official guidelines.

The group said the delay left several divisions underrepresented or unable to participate, depriving student leaders of a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to represent their schools and regions,” and called for the event to be postponed.

Their appeal was dismissed, with organizers citing that “50 percent of the delegates have confirmed attendance.”

“Many of us felt ignored … our letters, concerns, and calls for postponement were met with silence,” the group’s statement read.

The group also criticized the lack of consultation and transparency in planning, urging DepEd to uphold accountability and ensure future youth programs reflect “inclusivity and respect for the voices of learners.”