A total of 80 incoming Grade 7 students will compose the first batch of students at the Rodolfo CG Fariñas Jr. National Science High School in Barangay Vira, Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, which was officially inaugurated on Wednesday.
Officials of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the city government of Laoag along with former Ilocos Norte first district congressman Rodolfo C. Farinas led the unveiling of the marker in time for the 59th Charter Day celebration of the city.
The science high school here, which will start classes in July, was established under Republic Act 10965, signed into law on Dec. 28, 2017, with Fariñas as the main author.
Flenie A. Galicinao, education program supervisor of DepEd-Laoag City and the soon-to-be officer-in-charge of the RCGFNSHS told the Philippine News Agency that the first batch of students was carefully selected through a comprehensive written examination (80 percent) and interview (20 percent).
“A total of 135 applicants were qualified but only the top 80 were selected for its initial operation,” she said, citing that at least five teachers would handle the two sections for Grade 7, at 40 students per class.
For her part, Laoag City Schools Division Superintendent Joann Corpuz said it took some time for the school to open due to the rigorous process of finalizing the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) as well as the construction of the physical structure to the curriculum design, classroom set-up, and procurement of learning resources.
The school’s initial budget for this year amounts to PHP2.9 million. (PNA)
