Philippine Science High School Central Mindanao Campus

On November 5, 1996, a bill was passed in the House of Representatives by then Representative of 2nd District Lanao del Norte, Hon. Abdullah “Dabs” Mangotara and finally was signed into law by virtue of Republic Act No. 8469 dated July 28, 1997. This is an “Act Establishing the Philippine Science High School – Lanao del Norte Campus and Appropriating Funds Therefore”. The original site is at Mt. Torong-Torong, Tubod, Lanao del Norte.

On June 1, 1998 a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was entered into by the PSHS-LNC/PSHS System represented by Dr. Vicenta F. Reyes, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) represented by Secretary William G. Padolina and Lanao del Norte Provincial Government represented by Governor Imelda Quibranza Dimaporo for the realization of the establishment of the science high school. It was stipulated in the MOA that the Provincial Government will

• provide a site and building and motor vehicle
• provide a trust fund of 4.5 million to pay for stipends, book allowances, transportation costs, salaries of teachers and employees for the initial year of operations
• ensure the safety of scholars, faculty and administrative staff assigned.

Lanao del Norte Campus formally opened on July 1, 1998, housed temporarily at Maranding Central Elementary School in Maranding, Lala, Lanao del Norte. It started with only one classroom, a small office served as faculty room and two small dormitories to accommodate the 26 pioneering scholars coming from the municipalities of the province. The administration was composed of five faculty members — Jose Marlon A. Caumeran, Richard B. Jumawan, Dulce Corazon Kenady, Franklin L. Salisid and Teodulo Miranda — and three administrative staff — Lucia Cielito A. Gillamac, Gerard M. Santos, and Elena C. Pasahingue-Marmes. Flor M. Temple, SST IV from PSHS-Diliman Campus was detailed as officer-in-charge of the campus until a director was appointed. On October 29, 1998 Prof. Ciriaco M. Gillera, Ph.D. of MSU-IIT, was appointed campus director on secondment status.

The Provincial Government of Lanao del Norte was able to release 2.3 million to cover Personal Services (PS) and Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses for July–December 1998. Effective January 1, 1999, the operational cost of the campus was included in the 1999 General Appropriations Act including the 16 million budget for the construction of academic and dormitory buildings 1 phase 1.

The DOST WIDE Bids and Awards Committee conducted the bidding on construction when the House Bill 1190, transfer of site from the Municipality of Tubod to Balo-i, Lanao del Norte took effect. In December, 2000 the project was awarded to PIRRA Construction and Enterprises of Bocaue, Bulacan.

With the increasing number of scholars, faculty and staff, there was a need for more classrooms and spaces for science laboratories, dormitories and other instruction facilities. The provincial government let the school use the second floor, Main Stadium Building at Mindanao Civic Center, Tubod as temporary site from April 2001 to March 2007 while the construction of Academic and Dormitory Building in Nangka, Balo-i was in progress.

After eight years, PSHS-CMC has transferred to its permanent site at Nangka, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte although building construction is not yet completed and no perimeter fence yet constructed. Since Academic Building I is up to concrete works and roofing only, temporary walls and partitions are installed using coconut lumber and plywood. The mosque which was in front of the Academic Building was removed through negotiations with municipal officials and imams. For security reasons, the intern-scholars are temporarily housed at TESDA Dormitory which is 5 km from the campus.[1]

Mindanao Civic Center (MCC)

Mindanao Civic Center grounds and gymnasium

The Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao del Norte was the temporary site for this campus. During its stay at the MCC, the director's office was on the second floor, MCC Grandstand. The Staff Room, Faculty Room, Computer Laboratory, Accounting Office, Cashier and Boys' Dormitory were on the right wing of the grandstand, while the Chemistry Laboratory, Physics Laboratory, Biology Laboratory, Girls' Dormitory, Girls' Dormitory Annex and I-Ruby on the other wing. The Library, Technology Area and I-Jade was on the first floor. The other rooms were on the side of the MCC Gymnasium. The rooms at the side facing the Grandstand were III-Potassium, II-Rosal, IV-Neutron, I-Emerald and II-Dahlia. On the opposite side of the gym were the sections III-Lithium, IV-Proton, II-Kamia, III-Sodium and IV-Electron. School year 2006–2007 was the last at this site.

Admission to the PSHS-CMC is possible only for the first year and, in uncommon cases, lateral entry in the second and third years. Applicants from grade six (or grade seven) must take and perform well in the National Competitive Examination (NCE), the admission test of the Philippine Science High School System, indicating their interest in the Central Mindanao Campus.

Each batch (year level) in junior high is typically composed of 90 students divided equally, if possible, into three sections.

Grades are reported in terms of the stanine. 1.00 is the highest grade while 5.00 is a failing mark. 2.50 is the passing grade and any grade lower than this is 'substandard'. The student's current standing for a subject is calculated by adding 1/3 of the previous quarter's grade and 2/3 of the tentative grade of the quarter. The GWA (general weighted average) of the student should be 2.25 or better to be in good standing.

The PSHS Central Mindanao Campus is one of the campuses of the PSHS System which is under the administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). The PSHS System Board of Trustees (BOT) is the Governing Board of all the campuses under the PSHS System.

The BOT is chaired by the DOST Secretary, with the Secretary of the Department of Education as vice-chair. The members are the UP President, the PSHS System Executive Director, the Director of the Science Education Institute (SEI), the President of the PSHS National Alumni Association, the chairpersons of the congressional committees in the science and technology of the Senate and the House of Representatives, and one representative from each from higher education, education of the gifted, agriculture, and new emerging technologies.

The school has several campus organizations, all under the umbrella of the student body. The student body is named Supreme Council of Scholars, or SCS, and it is in charge of the Student's Week, Acquaintance Party and Sorting, Socialization, and others.[3]

SMART or Science and Mathematics Association for Responsible Teenagers is the organization concerned with SMT related activities, including the Science Camp (SciCamp), Quarterly Quiz Bowl, and the Weekly Pop Quiz.

The SCS hosted five clubs — ELITE, GLOBE, SIPA, PASTEL, and Ad Libitum until 2014–2015. The ELITE was the club for computer enthusiasts and is supposed to be but did not become an autonomous club like the SCS and SMART. The GLOBE or Great Lovers of Best Entertainment was for the performers, further divided into singing, dancing, and theatre. The SIPA (Sporty Individuals with Positive Attitude) was the sports club; PASTEL is the arts club; and the Ad Libitum was the expressionists club.

The SCS hosts the Leagues, in which scholars are grouped into four (patterned from the Houses of Hogwarts, Harry Potter). At first the Leagues were named A, B, C, and D, then Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green, respectively. The League names progressed into Red Dragons, Yellow Flares, Blue Fawkes, and Green Gryphons.

The SCS and SMART have their Constitutional Committees or ConCom which works each organization's Constitution. A COMELEC is present for each organization. The SCS and SMART have a group of students called Facilitators that help the officers during events such as the SciCamp and Student's Week.

Currently, all student organizations are disbanded under the new administration.

• PSHS Central Mindanao Campus official website