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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider LearnCon 2025: DepEd gathers 2,000 student leaders to strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement

LearnCon 2025: DepEd gathers 2,000 student leaders to strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement

Published Oct 27, 2025 03:24 pm
Student leaders participate in LearnCon PH 2025 in Dumaguete City, the Department of Education’s flagship event that empowers young Filipinos to become active partners in nation-building through leadership workshops, dialogues, and innovation sessions. (Photo from DepEd)
Student leaders participate in LearnCon PH 2025 in Dumaguete City, the Department of Education’s flagship event that empowers young Filipinos to become active partners in nation-building through leadership workshops, dialogues, and innovation sessions. (Photo from DepEd)
More than 2,000 student leaders and youth advocates from across the Philippines gathered in Dumaguete City on Monday, October 27, for the opening of the Learners’ Convergence Philippines (LearnCon PH) 2025 — the Department of Education’s (DepEd) flagship program to strengthen youth leadership, civic participation, and the values of service among learners.
This year’s LearnCon PH takes a more transformative direction with its integration into the National Career Expo (NCEx) Kick-Off for the 2025–2026 school year.
The combined events aim to help students enhance their leadership and decision-making skills while connecting with industry, business, and education partners to explore future career paths.
Aligned with DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s 5-Point Reform Agenda, LearnCon PH 2025 features leadership workshops, innovation labs, and dialogue sessions designed to empower young Filipinos as active partners in building stronger and more inclusive school communities.
“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 (Here, you can express your thoughts on social issues, present your projects, and participate in workshops, thematic sessions, and Project Pitching Exercises),” Angara said in his message.
“Gamitin ninyo ang pagkakataong ito para magtanong, makinig, at magbahagi (Take this opportunity to ask questions, listen, and share),” he added.
A safe space for ideas
With the theme “#GalingKabataan: Boses Mo, Bukas Natin,” the four-day event underscores the importance of youth voices in shaping inclusive policies and addressing pressing social issues. It also serves as the largest in-person gathering of learners and education stakeholders from all 18 regions.
A total of 2,061 participants from all School Division Offices nationwide are attending, including learners from formal and alternative learning systems, Indigenous Peoples (IP) groups, and learners with disabilities (LWDs).
Over 2,000 student leaders from across the Philippines join DepEd’s LearnCon PH 2025 in Dumaguete City to strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement, and career readiness under DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s 5-Point Reform Agenda. (Photo from DepEd)
Over 2,000 student leaders from across the Philippines join DepEd’s LearnCon PH 2025 in Dumaguete City to strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement, and career readiness under DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara’s 5-Point Reform Agenda. (Photo from DepEd)
DepEd Undersecretary for Operations Malcolm S. Garma said that over the four days of LearnCon, key issues such as leadership and civic engagement, health and well-being, gender and social inclusion, climate action, innovation and entrepreneurship, culture and peace, as well as programs for the Alternative Learning System, Indigenous Peoples, and learners with disabilities will be discussed.
Among the program highlights are the launch of the Landas Toolkit, a career guidance resource; the Learners’ Congress, which strengthens students’ policy-making and governance skills; and Project Pitching Sessions, where young innovators present their ideas to experts.
“LearnCon is a safe space for ideas,” Garma said, as he urged participants not to be afraid or hesitant to ask questions and share their thoughts.
“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 (Just like in previous years, LearnCon is a safe space — an avenue for dialogue, debate, and creative expression. Here, you are the main character),” he added.
With the theme “#GalingKabataan: Boses Mo, Bukas Natin,” LearnCon PH 2025 gathers over 2,000 learners to amplify youth voices in education, leadership, and civic engagement, marking one of the largest in-person student conventions organized by DepEd. (Photo from DepEd)
With the theme “#GalingKabataan: Boses Mo, Bukas Natin,” LearnCon PH 2025 gathers over 2,000 learners to amplify youth voices in education, leadership, and civic engagement, marking one of the largest in-person student conventions organized by DepEd. (Photo from DepEd)
The event also features simultaneous thematic sessions on national issues, a Youth Leaders Forum with multi-sector dialogues, and a Learners’ Night celebrating creativity, collaboration, and camaraderie.
DepEd said LearnCon PH 2025 reaffirms the youth’s vital role as “co-creators of an inclusive, empowered, and sustainable nation,” giving learners a platform to actively participate in shaping the country’s education and development agenda.

Related Tags

DepEd LearnCon 2025 LearnCon PH Sonny Angara education reforms student leaders youth leadership Dumaguete City event National Career Expo education reform Philippines
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