25 June 2002

Honorable _______________

Member, Board of Regents

Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez

Institute of Science and Technology

(EARIST)

Sir/Madam:

The Alumni Association of the Special Science High School (SSHS) would like to make a petition against the abolition of the SSHS-EARIST due to the following arguments, to wit:

1. The Special Science High School is one of the best science high schools this country has ever produced. It is of the same status as that of the Philippine Science High School, the Manila Science High School, and the Quezon City Science High School.

The knowledge that the students have gained, particularly in science and mathematics, proved to be their best asset and their best armament in the course called LIFE.

2. The Special Science High School has brought so much prestige and honors to this institution. As a matter of fact, during the School Year 1985 – 1986, the SSHS ranked number 1 among all the secondary schools in this country in terms of NCEE (National College Entrance Examinations) Mean Rating.

3. The Special Science High School was once a node school of the Japanese International Cooperating Agency (JICA). In fact, during the late 1980’s, there used to be Japanese visiting professors/lecturers in SSHS who were teaching mathematics and science subjects. It is evident that the SSHS has already established international linkages even before other institutions have recognized the need for globalization.

4. The Special Science High School has been producing topnotch intellects in their respective fields of specialization. This group of young intellects will surely be the future pillars not only of the Philippine Society, but of other societies as well.

5. The dismal performance of Filipino students in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMMSS) effected a trend among secondary (both private and public) schools to apply for its conversion to special science high schools.

Therefore, it is alarming that in this institution of higher learning, a proposal for the abolition of SSHS is being conceptualized. Such move would indicate that there really exists an absence of a strong science culture in the Philippines.

6. The curriculum of the Special Science High School conforms with the New Curriculum of the Department of Education (DepEd). Hence, the mission and vision of SSHS is in consonance with the thrust of the present government to produce graduates with strong foundation in science and mathematics.

7. The Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) is a government institution. Thus, the faculty members of SSHS have security of tenure. The abolition of SSHS does not imply any removal of faculty from the government service. It would probably cause their transfer to other departments or campuses of EARIST.

Given this predicament, why not then sustain the existence of SSHS ?

8. The said proposal must be supported by research findings and scientific studies.

A follow-through research on its graduates would definitely be an eye-opener to the administrators of this institution as to how successful its graduates are in their chosen careers.

A curriculum evaluation would help establish the fact that the graduates of SSHS are more competent, especially in science and mathematics, than the graduates of other regular high schools. It would also determine the perceptions of the teacher educators and the students on the different aspects of its curriculum. This evaluation will identify the strengths and weaknesses of the secondary program that the SSHS offers to its students.

Moreover, it would help the administrators determine the extent as to which the key players – the faculty, the principal, and the students – have achieved the objectives set by the program or curriculum planners of SSHS – EARIST.

9. Article XIV, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution mentions that “the state shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.”

De Leon (1991) explains that it is the duty of the state to create conditions that are necessary to realize the right of all citizens particularly the underprivileged to equal opportunity to quality and affordable education at all levels, whether public or private.

Therefore, the state is duty-bound to adopt measures to sustain the existence of SSHS.

In Article XIV, Section 2, the state shall:

a) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society;

b) Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and high school levels;

c) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidiaries, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private schools especially to the underprivileged;

Under Article XIV, Sections 1 and 2, the Constitution explicitly directs the state to establish, maintain, and support a system of education which is relevant to the needs of the Philippine Society. Therefore, any move to abolish the SSHS may be deemed unconstitutional. Such move will surely be a great loss not only to this institution but to the Philippine Society as well.

Wherefore, The Special Science High School Alumni Association demands for scientific and legal bases for the proposed abolition of the Special Science High School so as to avoid any blunder that may cause irreparable damage to the Philippine Society.

The Special Science High School

Alumni Association

Batch 1986

1. Maria Fe Augusto Canlas Associate Professor

Philippine Normal University

Batch 1982

2. Gerardo Lumagbas Augusto Assistant Professor

De La Salle University

3. Marie Anne Avecilla Augusto Flight Attendant

Cathay Pacific Airways, Ltd. HKG

4. Mir-i-nisa Lourdes Avecilla Escala Nurse

Children’s Medical Center WAS, DC.

5. Jose Arish de Guzman Nurse Practitioner

Johns Hopkins University, Maryland

6 Guia Solis Yin Production Manager

7. Marissa Calopez Laygo Senior Programmer/Analyst

Halliburton Inc., Houston, Texas

8. Helen Huerto Tan Sleep Disorder Technologist

San Francisco, California

9. Desiree Chiongson Medical Doctor

10. Lilybeth Sison Domingo Civil Engineer

11. Neina Lazo Computer Enginner

12. Arlene Amorin Joson Computer Engineer

13. Laura Z. Ramirat

14. Ferdinand Medina

15. Teodoro Espinosa

16. Joselito Magundayao

17. Honorato Gonzales

18. Danilo Calub

19. Ramil Dablo

20. Rosano Balansay

21. Imon Go

22. Eldon Fazonela

23. Mirasol Paungan Milano Vice-President

24. Victor Cailao

25. Jesus Bartolome

26. Roy Ribo

27. Jorge Almario

28. Renato Ocampo

29. Dolores Atengco Bookkeeper

The Leeds Group, Inc., San Diego CA

30. Marleo Palisoc

31. Lorencio Tan

32. Maria Luisa Pedrozo

33. Hernando Azarcon Jr.

34. Julius V. Flores

35. Edgar Flores

36. Melinda Geronimo

37. Evangeline Dela Cruz

38. Maria Elena de Guzman

39. Vivian Santiago

40. Teresita Gagaza

41. Arnel Rival

42. Suzanne Roce

43. Teddy Magnaye

44. Carlito Chiong

45. Laurel Chiongson

46. Ariel Juaniza

47. Arnold Abadilla

48. Esther Gonzales

49. Violeta Inocencio

50. Loreta Liwanag