Declaration of Policy
- Priority to Research and Development, invention, innovation, and their utilization.
- Emphasis on Science and Technology (S&T) education, training, and services.
- Support for indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities.
- Establishment of a PSHS System to lead in secondary S&T education.
Objectives
- Integration of existing PSHS campuses into one governance system.
- Ensuring uniform quality standards and systematization of school operations.
- Rationalization of science high schools as defined by the Act.
Definition of Terms
- Philippine Science High Schools (PSHS): Secondary schools granting scholarships to deserving students under a curriculum tailored for S&T careers.
- Term: A fixed six-year term of office.
Scope
- The PSHS System includes current campuses at Diliman, Eastern Visayas, Western Visayas, Mindanao, and future campuses established under the law.
Overall Coordinating Authority
- The DOST has administrative supervision over the PSHS System.
Board of Trustees
- Composition:
- DOST Secretary (Chairman) and DECS Secretary (Vice Chairman) ex officio.
- U.P. President, PSHS Executive Director, SEI Director, PSHS National Alumni President (ex officio).
- Five private sector representatives covering higher education, education for the gifted, industry, agriculture, and emerging technologies.
- Appointment and Term:
- Private sector reps appointed by Chairman, confirmed by Board.
- Initial terms staggered (three for 4 years, two for 2 years), succeeding terms fixed at 4 years.
- Powers:
- Formulating policies on administration, personnel, curriculum, student selection, scholarships, discipline, and budget.
- Approving graduations and expansion policies.
- Receiving and managing grants and donations.
- Rationalizing the establishment of science high schools.
- Preparing strategic human resource development plans for gifted youth.
Executive Director (ED)
- Appointment:
- Appointed by Chairman, approved by Board.
- Rank equivalent to bureau director; six-year term renewable once.
- Roles:
- Coordinating curriculum planning.
- Overseeing research on gifted students.
- Coordinating publication and legal/technical support.
- Facilitating exchange programs and networking.
- Implementing scholar selection programs.
- Providing secretariat services to the Board.
- Other necessary functions.
- Supported by a staff for effective function.
Campus Director (CD)
- Appointment:
- Appointed by the Board upon ED recommendation via a search process.
- Fixed six-year term, renewable once, removal only for cause.
- Role:
- Administrative and academic head ensuring campus operations.
- May establish consultative bodies representing community educational needs.
Executive Committee
- Composed of the Executive Director and Campus Directors.
- Collegial in nature for system-wide coordination.
Funding
- Initial funding charged to existing campus appropriations.
- Subsequent funds included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
- Initial additional funding of P20,000,000 allocated.
Implementing Rules and Regulations
- The Board of Trustees tasked with formulating necessary rules to implement the Act.
Separability Clause
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect other parts remaining in force.
Repealing Clause
- Laws or regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or modified accordingly.
Effectivity
- The Act takes effect the day after its full publication in at least two general circulation newspapers.