The Department of Education (DepEd) on Monday formally opened this year’s Learners’ Convergence Philippines, bringing together more than 2,000 student leaders and youth advocates from across the country in Dumaguete City.

This year’s LearnCon PH takes on a more transformative approach through its integration with the national career expo kick-off for school year 2025–2026. The activities aim to help students build leadership and decision-making skills while connecting them with industry, business, and school partners to learn about future career opportunities.

The four-day event also features leadership workshops, innovation labs, and dialogue sessions designed to empower students as active partners in shaping school communities.

Carrying the theme “#GalingKabataan: Boses Mo, Bukas Natin,” this year’s LearnCon PH highlights the vital role of youth voices in addressing social issues and shaping an inclusive, forward-looking society. It also serves as the largest face-to-face engagement of learners and education stakeholders from all 18 regions.

A total of 2,061 learner-participants representing all school division offices nationwide are attending the convergence. Delegates include learners from both the formal and alternative education systems, indigenous peoples groups, and learners with disabilities.

Other program highlights include the launch of the Landas Toolkit, a resource to guide students in career planning; the learners’ congress, which builds policy-making and governance skills; and project pitching sessions where learners present innovative ideas to a panel of experts.

Also on the schedule are simultaneous thematic sessions on pressing national issues, a youth leaders forum featuring dialogues with sector leaders, and a learners’ night celebrating youth creativity and camaraderie.

DepEd said this year’s LearnCon PH aims to affirm the youth’s role as “co-creators of an inclusive, empowered, and sustainable nation” by giving them a seat and a voice in shaping the country’s education and development agenda.