Teams from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) in Region 7 (Central Visayas) are doing the rounds of the schools in Dumaguete City and Negros Oriental to invite incoming Grade 7 students to the National Competitive Examination (NCE).
After a two-school year hiatus brought about by the coronavirus 2019 pandemic (Covid-19) where entrants back then had to apply online, the Department of Science and Technology-PSHS System from Grades 7 to 12 is now back to accepting applicants via the NCE.
Venessa Carbon, Special Science Teacher I of the PSHS-Region 7 in Argao, Cebu, told the Philippine News Agency on Friday that incoming Grade 7 students can now apply either online or at any of the DOST-PSHS schools in the country to take the NCE.
'Applicants to the DOST-PSHS will have to be competitive in the entrance exams as only about 10 percent of all those vying for this government student scholarship can make it,' Carbon said.
The curriculum of the DOST-PSHS is geared mostly toward science and technology and aligned subjects, unlike those of the senior high schools under the Department of Education (DepEd), she added.
Once accepted, students will enjoy free tuition, allowances and other benefits while living on campus, and are allowed to return home on weekends or special days, the teacher said.
Carbon, a PSHS alumna, serves as the chaperone and leader of a five-member team of Grade 12 students who are in this capital city for the ongoing Central Visayas Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) celebration.
Another team is doing the campus tours here, promoting the PSHS to graduating Grade 6 students for the school year 2024-2025.
An applicant to the PSHS must have a final grade of 85 and above in Science and Mathematics and if below 85 percent, must be in the top 10 of the class to qualify for enrollment, she said.
The applicant must not be more than 15 years old by June 30, 2024.
There are 16 PSHS campuses across the country or one in each region with the student/applicant allowed to choose the campus.
Deadline for the NCE application is on Oct. 30.
Meanwhile, PSHS-Region 7 students are showcasing some of their innovations during the RSTW exhibit at Robinsons Place mall here.
Some of their innovations have been patented or registered with the Intellectual Property Office and include, among others, a gadget for the blind.
They said they hope to penetrate the commercial market once these innovations have been fine-tuned and ready for public use
Source: Philippines News Agency
