The Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Science High School (DOST-PSHS) System announced the results of the stage 2 screening of the PSHS – Requirements for Admission, Criteria, and Evaluation (RACE), with 1,706 Grade 6 students as principal qualifiers in the country’s premier science high school.

Visit https://www.pshs.edu.ph/ to see the list of official National Competitive Examination (NCE)-RACE stage 2 principal qualifiers.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the PSHS System implemented the RACE in lieu of its annual NCE where applicants of Pisay scholarship usually take an aptitude test composed of mathematics, science, language proficiency, and abstract reasoning. This alternative mode is Pisay’s way to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus to thousands of students who gather in testing sites nationwide.

Of the 1,706 principal qualifiers, 85 chose not to publish their names in line with the Data Privacy Act.

According to the PSHS Office of Admissions, more female students qualified for the scholarship, comprising 56.78% of those who passed, than male students with 43.22%.

In terms of school type, 51.11% of those who passed came from public elementary schools while 48.89% hail from private schools.

The selection procedure was composed of two stages: determining the applicant’s predicted NCE grade which is based on final grades in science and mathematics in grade 5 and combining accumulated scores from the applicant’s academic rank at the end of grade 5. Applicants were also required to submit a personal essay on a particular topic.

The qualifiers are advised to immediately contact the registrar or the campus director of the PSHS campus where they are qualified to enroll or visit the website for more information about early enrollment.

Deadline for slot confirmation is on March 6, 2021, for Main Campus qualifiers and March 20, 2021, for regional campus qualifiers. Alternate qualifiers will be called starting March 22, 2021.

The PSHS System offers an education that is humanistic in spirit, global in perspective, and patriotic in orientation. It is based on a curriculum that emphasizes science and mathematics as well as the development of well-rounded individuals. 

Moreover, the PSHS System prepares its students for careers in science and technology and contributes to nation-building by helping the country attain a critical mass of professionals and leaders in different fields.

The PSHS-Main Campus located in Diliman, Quezon City is the flagship campus of the PSHS System. Its regional campuses can be found in in San Ildefonso, Ilocos Sur; Irisan, Baguio City; Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya; Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga; Sampaga, Batangas City; Odiongan, Romblon; Goa, Camarines Sur; Jaro, Iloilo City; Argao, Cebu; Palo, Leyte; Mintal, Davao City; Balo-I, Lanao del Norte; Ampayon, Butuan City, Cogon, Dipolog City; and Paraiso, Koronadal City. – Rappler.com

Aries N. Oliveros used to teach campus journalism. He loves science and feature writing. He is currently the executive secretary of the executive director of the Philippine Science High School System.