A Proposal : a science high school in the city of Baguio

Abstract

A science high school for the city of Baguio that has the following features is proposed: 1. relies on public and private funds for financial support. 2. operates a secondary course on a free scholarship basis consisting of free tuition and books. 3. is an integral part of the Baguio City High School until such time that a full complement of a high school shall have been organized. 4. lays emphasis on the preparation for a science career. 5. develops according to a timetable. 5. develops according to a timetable. Some facts and observations are offered to justify the need. 1. To meet new challenges brought by material progress. 2. To complement those already established in the city financed by the private sector. 3. This is in consonance with the “center-of-learning” idea of the city development board for the city of Baguio. 4. A science high school meets the tenets of democracy which recognizes individual differences quality of opportunity and full development of one’s capacities leading to self-fulfillment. 5. The last congress passed the science and technology act to show concern for the fate of science in the country. 6. The emerging partnership between education and industry demands relevancy of education to the economic development of the country. 7. The director of public schools believes that the pressing need of the times is to produce a corps of scientifically trained people that can participate in any nuclear power project. 8. Baguio city high school is one of the UNICEF-aided high schools and is a recipient of laboratory equipment and scholarships enabling it to have adequate laboratory facilities and a comparatively strong faculty for a starter. 9. Baguio City High School’s prestige was regained. Hopefully, it will attract the better and the gifted students of the community. 10. A science high school can be a continuation school of the special education classes for the gifted and the fast learners organized and started at the Quezon elementary school in 1967. 11. In 1961, the Bureau of public schools issued memorandum no. 82 on the organization of special science classes. This was to become the nucleus of a science high school. 12. The city must keep in step with the curricular changes on the secondary level, once the weakest link, in the educational structure. 13. This will run along with the newer thinking in the Planning Section, Bursae, of Public Schools on region¬alization and decentralization. In this paper, largely descriptive, studies had to be done through a systematic analysis of bulletins, circulars, memoranda, interviews, observations, announcements, school organs, scholar¬ships, school programs, yearbooks and brochures in addition to several books, periodicals and other publications on the latest in science teaching. These studies cover four already established Science High Schools. Over a four-year probationary period the school shall gradually organize special science classes by year levels for a limited number of students who shall be screened according to a prescribed it of rules and regulations on admission and school antic requirements, Funding will depend on a large extent, on the City School Board, and possible external aid. But for the established high school financing will be borne by Congress or the City Council for good measure. A proposed budget in made for the established high school. A director, a guidance counsellor, clerk-registrar, a medical-dental unit, librarian, aside from teachers who have special training in the sciences make up the personnel. A proposed organizational chart is shown. Suggested lists of laboratory equipment and reading materials are offered based on lists from the Philippine Science High School and other criteria mentioned in the text. A school program whose base is the physical sciences and with extended time allotments in science, math and English is proposed. Emphasis is made on the laboratory method and current science and math programs. Contemporary evaluative measures are explored and presented. Four-year targets are offered.