SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL. Laoag Schools Division Superintendent Joann Corpuz on Wednesday (Feb. 29, 2024) said the Rodolfo Castro G. Farinas National Science High School will start operations in July in time for the school year 2024-2025. An initial of two classes for Grade 7 students will be opened to accommodate 40 pupils per class. (Photo courtesy of Department of Education-Laoag)
LAOAG CITY –The Department of Education in this city on Wednesday announced the opening of a science high school located on top of a hill in Barangay Vira here.
Laoag City Schools Division Superintendent Joann Corpuz confirmed this in a media interview following the development of a localized curriculum and assessment tools for the Rodolfo Castro G. Fariñas National Science High School in preparation for the start of its operation for academic year 2024-2025.
The science high school here was established under Republic Act 10965, signed into law on Dec. 28, 2017. Its initial budget for this year amounts to PHP2.9 million.
For its initial operation, Corpuz said the school will have two sections for Grade 7 at 40 students per class.
In a separate interview, Laoag City Vice Mayor Rey Carlos Fariñas said the opening of the science high school in this city is a welcome development.
“This will help decongest schools such as the Ilocos Norte National High School and the Ilocos Norte College of Arts and Trades where most students enrol,” he said.
Next to the Philippine Science High School in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur, the science high school in this city will be the second in the Ilocos Region to host students under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand.
DepEd-Laoag has been tasked to oversee the school’s staff while the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will assist in the establishment of the science laboratory and robotics. (PNA)
