Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus

Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus
Established 1993
Type specialized public high school
Affiliation Department of Science and Technology
Campus Director Dr. Shena Faith M. Ganela
Faculty approximately 50
Students approximately 360 (at present)
Location Barangay Bito-on, Jaro District,
Iloilo City, Iloilo, Philippines
Coordinates Coordinates: 10°45′13″N 122°35′15″E / 10.75361°N 122.58750°E
Campus Rural, 3.4 hectares
Newspaper 'Sci-link and Banaag'
Admission National Competitive Examination
Website wvc.pshs.edu.ph

The Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus (PSHS-WV), one of the campuses of the Philippine Science High School System, is located at Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City, Philippines. Established in 1993, the school admits and grants scholarships to students who are gifted in science and mathematics. Most of the scholars are from Western Visayas which covers the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental and the MIMAROPA (Region IV-B) which includes the provinces of Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan. Until the establishment of PSHS Central Visayas in 2009, the campus also catered to the students from the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental and Siquijor, all from Central Visayas. The former campus director and present executive director, Dr. Josette T. Biyo, has an asteroid named after her, 13241 Biyo.

The campus was once the only concrete structure amidst acres of rice fields, whereas now, it is in a sprawling upper class subdivision.

History

The first Philippine Science High School was established in Diliman, Quezon City under Republic Act No. 3661, known as the PSHS Charter. The school opened on 5 September 1964 at a rented building owned by the Philippine Government Employees Association along Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It was only in 1970 that the school moved to its present campus along Agham Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

To further expand the opportunities of students gifted in science, mathematics and technology in the Visayas and Mindanao, the PSHS Mindanao Campus and the PSHS Western Visayas Campus were created through Executive Order No. 1090 in 5 February 1986. The then PSHS Mindanao Campus was established in Davao City and started its operation in 1988.

On 21 August 1991, Secretary of Department of Science and Technology Ceferino L. Follosco (representing the donee), Ms. Nenita Kabayao Mapua and Ms. Makiling Ascalon (representing the donor), signed the deed of donation of the 3.4 Hectare lot in Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City. The campus will be known as the Doña Lawa-an H. Lopez Campus. Construction of the PSHSWV started in February 1992, followed by the formal ground breaking ceremony in May of the same year.

PSHS-WV formally started its operations on 1 July 1993. The 47 pioneer scholars held classes at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas since the school campus was still under construction. The temporary dormitory was located in Leganes, Iloilo which is approximately 13 kilometers away from UPV. Prof. Gilma T. Tayo served as the first campus director. It was in school year 1994-1995 that school operations transferred to its present location in Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City. Dr. Diana S. Aure was then the campus director. The PSHS-WV was formally inaugurated on 13 June 1997 by President Fidel V. Ramos.

The pioneer batch, all 47 of them, graduated from PSHS-WV in 31 March 1997. In the same year, the PSHS System Law (R.A. 8496) was signed by President Fidel V. Ramos. It established the PSHS System and unified all the existing campuses into a single system of governance and management.

In 2001, the PSHS System Law was further amended by R.A. No. 9036 consolidating the power and authority over all PSHS System campuses into a single Board of Trustees to ensure uniform policy coordination, standards and management.

Aside from the present campus, a four-hectare research station was donated by the family of the late Vice-Governor Guardilino Mosqueda in Balcon Maravilla, Jordan, Guimaras. It is known as the Mosqueda Campus of the PSHS-WV. Another 1 hectare coastal lot was donated by Engr. Jose Abad in Morubauan, Guimaras. It shall be the site of the Research Station in Marine Biology.

In 2011, the 5th campus director, Dr. Josette T. Biyo was elevated as the Executive Director of the Philippine Science High School System. Dr. Edgar Almero was appointed as the Officer-in-Charge in the interim. As of 1 April 2012, Ms. Shena Faith M. Ganela, succeeded Dr. Josette T. Biyo as the Campus Director. She is the 6th Director of the campus.

Admission and Academic Program

Admission to the PSHS System is through the PSHS System National Competitive Examination (PSHS-NCE). The screening consists of tests in Verbal, Abstract Reasoning, Science and Mathematics. To be eligible for admission, applicants must be Filipino students who must belong to the top 10% of the graduating class or must have special aptitude in science and math. The top 90 scholars from the region are admitted as scholars.

PSHSWV students are exposed to a special science curriculum that aims to develop a passion for learning and to inspire the scholars to choose careers in science and technology.[1] The curriculum is enriched with generally advance subjects in science, mathematics and technology allowing them to optimize their intellectual skills. This is balanced by a rich humanities subjects to develop a holistic individual.

In the sciences, the scholars learn Biology, Chemistry and Physics as separate subjects starting the second year. Computer Science is also offered in all year levels.

The mathematics department offers subjects in Elementary Algebra, Advanced Algebra, Plane Geometry, Trigonometry, Selected Topics in Number Theory, Statistics and Elementary Analysis among others.

Four years of studies in English, Filipino, and the Social Science are part of the Humanities curriculum. Health and Physical Education subjects are also given to enhance the physical well being of the students. Activities include gymnastics, soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, bowling and folk and social dances.

Sections

7th Grade (K-12 Curriculum)

8th grade (K-12 Curriculum)

9th grade (K-12 Curriculum)

4th Year (BEC)

Student Opportunities

Research

Research is part of the core program of the science curriculum at PSHSWV. The program develops the investigative skills of the scholars. Students are given research opportunities in the biological and physical sciences and engineering. Students are introduced to research principles during their third year and culminates in writing a scientific paper in their senior year. Successful researches are competed in the national science fair and even in the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair.[2]

Publications

The school has two publications that allows the scholars an opportunity to express their thoughts and opinions. Sci-Link, is the PSHSWV's publication in English. The paper is published in a newspaper or magazine format bi-annually. Banaag, on the other hand, is the official publication in Filipino. Both publications provide a good training ground for scholars in the field of journalism as reporting, layout, design, editing, and final production are done by the students under the supervision of a faculty adviser.

Student Life

Events

A variety of activities are held year round to develop the social skills among scholars.

Academic Grading System

Grades are reported in terms of the stanine. 1.00 is the highest grade while 5.00 is a failing mark. 2.50 is the passing grade and any grade lower than this is termed substandard. The student's current standing for a subject is calculated by adding 1/3 of the previous quarter's grade and 2/3 of the tentative grade of the quarter.

Director's List

Every quarter, students who garner a general weighted average (GWA) of 1.50 or better are included in an honour roll known as the Director's List.

Graduation

During their commencement exercises, students who have had outstanding performance in the past four years are given additional recognition.

Honors

Faculty

The PSHSWV Faculty includes educators with specialization in science and technology, most of whom with advanced degrees in their respective fields (including the Ph.D. or Ed.D.). The faculty is headed by the Curriculum and Instruction Services Division Chief. Mr. Edward C. Albaracin is the current CISD chief.

Two of the teachers were awarded as Outstanding Teachers of the Philippines by the Metrobank Foundation. Dr. Josette Biyo was awarded in 1997,[3] while Ms. Shena Faith Ganela, the present Campus Director, was honored in 2009.[4]

References

  1. ↑ http://www.pshs.edu.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13&Itemid=29
  2. ↑ http://www.mb.com.ph/node/165394
  3. ↑ http://www.mbfoundation.org.ph/prog_SOT1997.html
  4. ↑ http://www.mbfoundation.org.ph/prog_SOT2009-04.html

External links