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SioNaSci soars as 1st Science High School in Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District
FRANCINE MAE T. DIAMANTE
Commencing this school year, Siocon National Science High School (SioNaSci), the debunked Siocon National High School (Siocon NHS), has stood as the first Science High School in the 3rd District of Zamboanga del Norte aiming to offer a more advanced curriculum, August 22.
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On December 10 of 2021,
Republic Act No. 11629 was approved, which carried the legal provisions for the conversion.
In an interview, Principal Marlon P. Micubo revealed that the conversion was challenging because the proposition was rejected in the first filing of papers.
“We complied with the requirements for establishing a Science High School. Unfortunately, it was disapproved. By the aide of Congressman Isagani Amatong and our Schools Division
Superintendent Dr. Ma. Liza R. Tabilon, they passed the same requirement for conversion of Siocon National High School to Siocon National Science High School, and the latter was approved,” relayed Principal Micubo.
As part of the prepara-
SioNaSci sees enrollment decline
tion for the transition, the SioNaSci staff ventured to Pagadian Science High School in Pagadian City for a benchmarking activity to replicate the best practices of the school.
SioNaSci implemented several changes, including the reduction of Grade 7 sections to four with 40 students per section.
Meanwhile, SioNaSci conducted an admission test in partnership with the Ateneo de Zamboanga University testing center to select qualified students to be part of the school.
After the test, the English Department of the institution conducted a reading skill assessment to confirm their reading level and preparedness for the Science High School curriculum.
After the transition of Siocon National High School to Siocon National Science High School (SioNaSci), the students’ population decreased by 23.5 percent this school year 2022-2023.
According to Mrs. Merlinda B. Torres, the School Registrar, some reasons for the decline is that most of the transferred-in students during the pandemic returned to their previous schools for face-to-face classes.
Moreover, she relayed that the number of sections in Grade 7 has been reduced to four while limiting each section to 40 students as part of the transition.
