QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 8496)
RA 8496’s short title is the “Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System Act of 1997,” and it was approved on February 12, 1998.
It declares that the State shall prioritize R&D, invention, innovation, and their utilization; and support science and technology education, training, and services, including indigenous, appropriate, self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities applied to productive systems and national life. It establishes a PSHS System to lead secondary-level science and technology education.
They are: (1) integrate existing PSHS campuses (Diliman, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Mindanao) into one system of governance and management; (2) ensure uniformity in quality standards and systematize operations; and (3) rationalize establishment of science high schools as defined in the Act.
They are secondary schools offering scholarships to deserving students who are admitted and trained under a curriculum specially designed to prepare them for careers in science and technology (S&T).
“Term” refers to the “term of office” with a duration of six (6) years in one term.
It includes the existing PSHS campuses at Diliman, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, and Mindanao, and future campuses that may be established under the law.
The PSHS System is under the administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
The Board includes: the Secretary of DOST (ex officio Chairman), the Secretary of DECS (ex officio Vice Chairman), and members including the President of the UP, the Executive Director of PSHS, the Director of SEI, the President of the PSHS National Alumni Association (ex officio members), plus five (5) private-sector representatives (one each for higher education, education for the gifted, industry, agriculture, and new/emerging technologies) appointed by the Chairman subject to Board confirmation.
They are appointed by the Chairman subject to confirmation by the Board. For the first set, three (3) serve for four (4) years and two (2) serve for two (2) years. Thereafter, succeeding appointments have a fixed term of four (4) years.
Among others, it: formulates policies/guidelines for administration and operations; policies for appointment and personnel actions; approves curricula and student selection/admission criteria; approves scholarships/stipends/allowances and graduation; formulates discipline rules; approves budgets; receives and manages grants/donations; sets policies to expand enrollment; sets policies and criteria to rationalize the establishment of science high schools; and prepares strategic plans for developing human resources with focus on youth with special talents in science and math.
The ED is appointed by the Chairman, subject to Board approval, and is given a rank equivalent to a bureau director with a fixed term of six (6) years, renewable for another term. The ED coordinates Board policies, coordinates curriculum planning, oversees research on the gifted, coordinates publication of outputs, provides legal/technical support, coordinates exchange programs, develops linkages among campuses, coordinates scholar identification/selection, provides secretariat services to the Board, and performs other necessary functions.
The CD is appointed by the Board upon recommendation of the Executive Director based on a search process; has a fixed term of six (6) years renewable for another term at the Board’s option. The CD shall not be removed from office except for cause.
It is composed of the Executive Director and the Campus Directors as members, and is collegial in character.
For initial implementation, the needed amount is charged against the current year’s appropriations of the existing PSHS campuses. Thereafter, necessary sums are included in the annual General Appropriations Act. It specifically appropriates P20,000,000.00 to be included for the initial year of operation, in addition to the budgets of existing individual campuses.
Under Section 12, the Board must formulate the implementing rules and regulations to carry out the Act. Section 13 provides a separability clause: if any provision is declared unconstitutional/invalid, the unaffected parts continue in full force and effect.
It takes effect on the day following its complete publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.