Over 2,000 students gather in Dumaguete City for LearnCon 2025

A total of 2,061 students across the country have joined the Learners’ Convergence Philippines (LearnCon PH) 2025 in Dumaguete City to engage in workshops and sessions aimed at empowering them to contribute to their schools and communities.

This year’s LearnCon PH is integrated with the National Career Expo (NCEx) Kick-Off for School Year 2025–2026, which aims to help develop leadership and decision-making skills among students and connect with industry, business, and school partners to explore future career opportunities.

The four-day event is aligned with the 5-Point Reform Agenda of Education Secretary Sonny Angara.

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

(Here, you can express your thoughts on social issues, present your projects, and participate in workshops, thematic sessions, and Project Pitching Exercises. Use this opportunity to ask questions, listen, and share.)

With the theme “#GalingKabataan: Boses Mo, Bukas Natin,” this year’s LearnCon PH highlighted the importance of the youth’s voice in addressing social issues and creating an inclusive, forward-thinking society.

The participants from 18 regions include students from the formal and alternative education systems, Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups, and learners with disabilities (LWDs).

The students will take part in discussions on leadership and civic engagement, health and well-being, gender and social inclusion, climate action, innovation and entrepreneurship, culture, and peace, while programs for the Alternative Learning System, indigenous people, at learners with disability will be discussed.

DepEd will also launch the Landas Toolkit, a resource to guide students in career planning.

Other programs include the Learners’ Congress, where students will develop policy-making and governance skills, and Project Pitching Sessions, where learners present innovative ideas to a panel of experts.

“LearnCon is a safe space for ideas. Huwag kayo matakot, huwag kayong mahiyang magtanong at magbahagi. Tulad ng mga nagdaang taon, ang LearnCon ay isang ligtas na espasyo, isang avenue for dialogue, debate, at creative expression. Dito, kayo mismo ang bida,” said Education Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm Garma.

(LearnCon is a safe space for ideas. Do not be afraid, do not hesitate to ask questions and share. Like previous years, LearnCon is a safe space, an avenue for dialogue, debate, and creative expression. You are the center of attention here.)

DepEd said the LearnCon PH 2025 aims to recognize the youth’s role as “co-creators of an inclusive, empowered, and sustainable nation” by giving them a platform to shape the country’s education and development agenda. — JMA, GMA Integrated News