Marcos inks law on PSHS system expansion

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has signed a law expanding the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) system as part of the government’s efforts to promote science and technology (S&T) and research and development (R&D).

The President enacted Republic Act 12310 or the “Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act” on October 3.

“The State recognizes the need to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education, training, and services, and support appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities and their application to increase productivity and enhance the quality of life for everyone,” the law stated.

“To this end, the State hereby establishes a PSHS System that will assume a leadership role in secondary STEM education.”

RA 12310 seeks to establish strategically accessible PSHS campuses that will provide scholarship-based secondary education programs, with special emphasis on STEM for students with exceptional aptitude in science and mathematics.

It also aims to increase the pool of high school graduates who will pursue undergraduate courses in the field of STEM as well as in research and development.

RA 12310 will consolidate existing and future campuses under a unified system of governance and management, in support of the holistic development of scholars, faculty, and staff.

The PSHS System will be established under the administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology.

It will be composed of at least two PSHS campuses in each administrative region of the country.

PSHS campuses within the same region must not be situated in the same province or city, in the case of the National Capital Region.

The establishment of additional campuses will be subject to a comprehensive review based on need, demand, and other criteria to be determined by the PSHS Board. — JMA, GMA Integrated News