Cebu City National Science High School

The Cebu City National Science High School, commonly known as Sci-Hi is a Secondary Science public High School system located in Salvador St. Labangon, Cebu City, Philippines. It was founded on July 17, 1970 and nationalized in the 1974-1975 school year.

History

The Cebu City National Science High School, which is formerly known as Cebu City Science High School, was established on July 17,1970 as the brainchild of Dr. Aurelio A. Tiro, the then Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent. The school's overall concept was patterned after the objectives of the Philippine Science High School and in line with the Government's Science and Technological Education and Manpower Development Program.

On April 28,1970, Resolution No. 81 of the Cebu City School Board was passed by the Hon. City Councilor Raymundo Crystal, who was then Chairman of the Committee on Education, and requested the Cebu City Council to initiate the funding of a Cebu City Science High School with an appropriation of P50,000. Then it was followed with Resolution No. 772 of the Cebu City Council on May 7, 1970 appropriating the requested amount for the establishment of the school during the incumbency of Honorable Mayor Eulogio Borres. The school was nationalized under Presidential Decree 105 in SY 1974-1975.

Cebu City Science High School was established in Barangay Labangon in its present site, which is a property donated by Don Sergio Osmeña, Sr. to the City Government. The first building of the school was a modified 3-unit steel pre-fab Marcos-type school building. The school drew a development plan, and the founding principal, Mrs. Rosalina R. Kintanar, sought direct financial aid from the Office of the President in order to construct a two-storey Academic Library (AL) Building. The Science Building (SB) that was reconstructed from the pre-fab Marcos-type original, the ESEP Building, and the School Gymnasium were added during the administration of Mrs. Nicanora P. Creus. Succeeding principals also had their share in the development of school buildings and facilities.

With her ingenuity and brilliance, the founding principal, Mrs. Rosalina R. Kintanar pioneered in gathering 64 intelligent students and 5 competent teachers who started with what is now the Cebu City National Science High School.

The founding principal was succeeded by equally competent administrators in the persons of Mr. Tereso M. Edo, who was appointed on April 1982, Mrs. Nicanora P. Creus on October 1985, Mrs. Pilar A. Tesaluna on February 1999, Mrs. Severina B. Chin as OIC from May 2001-July 2001, Mr. Jesus G. Ortiz on August 2001 and presently Mrs. Severina B. Chin as OIC from June 2002-October 2002 and finally re-appointed on November 15, 2002.

The Cebu City National Science High School has always been the moving force behind the success of every scholar who inculcates in their hearts the mission and vision of the institution. It has never ceased on molding productive citizens who embody the true essence of excellence and contribute to the nation's growth and development.

Vision

The Cebu City National Science High School provides the pool of students who are proficient in Science, Mathematics, and English imbued with moral values and who will pursue Science and Technology oriented careers in preparation for their leadership roles in the Philippine Society.

Mission

Cebu City National Science High School aims to gear education towards quality improvement through Science, Mathematics, and English learning. It shall turn graduates to be academically and technologically oriented and skillfully competent in the field of work through a well-equipped school and well-trained teachers.

Competitions

The school has had to keep with a tradition of excellence in various competitions ranging from the regionals to the nationals and even at one point in their collective golden years - representing the nation in international academic Olympiads. In the last fifteen years, the school has reaped awards in national competitions like the Intel Philippine Science Fair and the Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs in the Philippines to name a few.

ections

CCNSHS previously had 2 sections for each year level. Since then, it has grown to 3, then 4, and currently, 5. The change of having 5 sections per year level was just implemented recently.

First Year Sections (Planets)
I - Earth
I - Mercury
I - Neptune (implemented - School Year 2005-06)
I - Saturn
I - Venus

Second Year Sections (Genus of Remarkable Plants)
II - Averrhoa (implemented - School Year 2006-07)
II - Hibiscus
II - Ixora
II - Oryza
II - Zea

Third Year Sections (Noble Gases)
III - Argon
III - Helium
III - Krypton
III - Neon
III - Xenon (implemented - School Year 2007-08)

Fourth Year Sections (Famous Scientists)
IV - Copernicus
IV - Einstein
IV - Galileo
IV - Kepler (implemented - School Year 2008-09)
IV - Newton

Each section has a maximum number of 35 students, with an exception of transferees and the like. However, the number of students may decrease for the second, third, and fourth year sections because of elimination of students due to academic and behavioral problems.

Admission Requirements

To better prepare each student with the tasks, activities and responsibilities that lay ahead, each must pass both written (conducted on the 3rd Saturday of February) and oral (conducted on the 2nd Saturday of March) entrance examination.

All applicants must be part of the upper 10% of their graduating class and must have at least a grade of 85% in Science, Math, and English and 83% or above in all other subject areas in any grading period or the equivalent grade as to the grading system used by a school as duly certified by its principal. Pupils graduating from Science Elementary Classes are required with a grade of at least 83% in Science, Math, and English and 80% in all other subject areas.

The examination is in Science, Math and Mental Ability with which the examinee must get 83% and 80% of the total score in Science and Math, respectively, and at least an above average IQ. Hence, all successful examinees qualify for an interview that tackles all subject areas. The screening committee determines the top 175 students (formerly 140) who have to confirm for enrollment. Finally, all 175 enrollees should attend the school's orientation program as scheduled together with their parents or guardian.

Organizations

Supreme Student Government
Boy Scouts of the Philippines (Sci-hi Knights)
Girl Scouts of the Philippines
Citizen's Advancement Training-I
BioPhysiChem Club
Mathematics Club
Scholar's Voice (school paper)
Kabayani Club
Samahang Pinoy
Sports Circle
Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs in the Philippines (STEP)

Music League (School bands and Glee Club joined together)
Dance Troupe
Theater's Guild
Youth for Christ
Campus Ministry
God's United Youth in Sci-hi (GUYS)
Peer Facilitator's Circle (PF Circle/PeerFaci)
Junior Graftwatch Unit (JGU)
Drugwatch
Red Cross

Issues and Affairs

Recently, anomalies and issues became rampant in the CCNSHS. Most of these concern the grading system and administrative policies.

(1) Grading SystemThe school's grading system is based on the public school system. However, there have been numerous cases of faculty members "adjusting" final grades and student ranking due to pressures from the administration or parents. Underperforming students do not necessarily get kicked out from the school as per policy so long as the student has right leverage. Also, there have been cases of honor students not getting the proper merits because of the lack of transparency in the grading system.

(2) Administrative PolicyThere is campus-wide displeasure on how the school is being run administratively. Criticism has been placed on the unprofessional conduct of some administrators and teachers. Some school officials do not perform their roles yet receive no disciplinary measures to correct such conduct(School Nurse). Rather than taking action, higher school officials turn a blind eye to these matters.

Despite the great discrepancy in the education standard prescribed for Science High Schools versus the one currently observed in CCNSHS, there has been no action on the side of the school administration to improve. Due to internal conflicts and miscommunication, little progress is being made by teachers in this area. There is little action to procure books or train teachers to be more competent. Basic student needs for learning are still being ignored. Annual collections from the students are largely allocated for infrastructure projects (CR's, TV's, etc) that have very minimal impact in improving quality education for the students.

Some students and concerned alumni have currently organized themselves to lobby for improvement in the school system. A blog and an e-group have been put in place to promote discussion on issues. So far, there has been no tangible progress for their efforts.

*Note: In the year 2007 the issue concerning the nurse has been resolved through the efforts of the CCNSHS Administration and the PF Circle under the direction of the Guidance Counselor.

Gallery

Links

* [http://www.scihi-cebu.com CCNSHS Online Community] The online community of students, alumni and alumnae of Cebu City National Science High School. This site celebrates the memories, experiences and all things Sci-Hi. Get to know graduates from different batches, share stories and photos in the Library, read up on featured alumni, or interact with old friends on our forum at the Drop-In Center.