The Cebu City National Science High School, commonly known as Sci-Hi is a Secondary Science public High School system located in Salvador St. Labangon, Cebu City, Philippines. It was founded on July 17, 1970 and nationalized in the 1974-1975 school year.
History
Cebu City National Science High School, formerly called Cebu City Science High School, was established on July 17, 1970, and was the brainchild of then Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Aurelio A. Tiro. It was patterned after the objectives of the Philippine Science High School in accordance with the Government Science and Technological Education and Manpower Development Program.
On April 28, 1970, the Cebu City School Board through Hon. City Councilor Raymundo Crystal, who was then Chairman of the Committee on Education, passed Resolution No. 93 requesting the Cebu City Council to initiate the funding of a Cebu City Science High School with the appropriation of Php 50, 000.00. On May 7, 1970, the Cebu City Council passed Resolution No. 772 appropriating the said amount to establish the school during the administration of Hon. Mayor Eulogio Borres. The school was nationalized under Presidential Decree 105 in School Year 1974 – 1975, and was renamed Cebu City National Science High School.
The school was established in its present site in Barangay Labangon through a lot donation of Don Sergio Osmeña, Sr. to the Cebu City Government. Its first school building was a modified 3-unit steel, pre-fabricated, Marcos-type infrastructure. Its pioneer class was composed of 64 students taught by 5 teachers under the leadership of the founding Principal, Mrs. Rosalina R. Kintanar.
A school development plan was crafted during Mrs. Kintanar’s administration, which sought direct financial aid from the Office of the President to construct the present two-storey Academic Library Building.
The founding Principal was succeeded by Mr. Tereso M. Edo in April 1982, and Mrs. Nicanora P. Creus in October 1985. During Mrs. Creus’ administration, the present Science Building replacing the original Marcos-type infrastructure, the ESEP Building, and the School Gymnasium were constructed.
Mrs. Pilar A. Tesaluna replaced Mrs. Creus in February 1999. It was during her administration that the Cuenco Building was constructed.
Mrs. Tesaluna was succeeded by Mr. Jesus G. Ortiz in August 2001, and by Dr. Severina B. Chin in June 2002. With the help of the Cebu City Government, the Annex Building formerly owned by Labangon Elementary School was turned over to the school during Dr. Chin’s administration. Moreover, the Chapel was constructed by the PTA in the last year of her incumbency.
Mrs. Marites V. Patiño became the 7th Principal of the school on June 2, 2012. It was during this time that the Senior High School program was added to the system along with the construction of the new Senior High School Building. It was also during her administration that one of the students was recognized internationally in the Intel ISEF for her outstanding research project.
Mrs. Evelyn R. Pielago formally assumed as the 8th principal on June 6, 2017 until July 2019. It was during her time that the school garnered an award from DepEd Region VII as the “Most Outstanding Secondary School” for the whole region. She was succeeded by Mr. Nathanael M. Flores as the 9th principal. During his stint in office, the school celebrated the Golden Jubilee of its existence and it was the time of the Pandemic for two years where the school adapted to the online distance learning from School Year 2020 – 2022. On October 17, 2022, the 10th principal, Dr. Charlie L. Salve was installed as the official head of the institution.
SCHOLARS’ PLEDGE
I, a scholar of Cebu City National Science High School,
dedicate myself to the quest of excellence
in pledge of serving the Filipino people
to whom I shall commit and uphold the flames cast in God’s hands.
As a scholar, I shall be a catalyst of positive change,
incorporating excellence in all aspects,
employing my capacity to lead,
in order to uplift the Philippine society in general
and the Cebuano Community in particular.
As a scholar, I shall be the epitome of distinction,
exemplifying the scientific spirit of innovation and inquisitiveness,
the embodiment of logical, critical, and analytical mind
in accordance with the principles of MAKA-DIYOS, MAKATAO, MAKAKALIKASAN, AT MAKABANSA.
I shall grow to be a person of integrity
through putting my words into actions, upholding the value of
intellectual honesty, unfaltering hard work, and consistent perseverance
to achieve holistic development, to model accountability,
and to promote the common good.
I present all of my endeavors before the Almighty God,
finally envisioning myself as a person of success,
faith, integrity, leadership, and excellence
in service to the world community.
So help me God.
Competitions
The school has had to keep with a tradition of excellence in various competitions ranging from the regionals to the nationals and even at one point in their collective golden years - representing the nation in international academic Olympiads. In the last fifteen years, the school has reaped awards in national competitions like the Intel Philippine Science Fair and the Student Technologists and Entrepreneurs in the Philippines to name a few.
Sections
CCNSHS previously had 2 sections for each year level. Since then, it has grown to 3, then 4, and currently, 5. The change of having 5 sections per year level was just implemented recently.
First Year Sections (Planets)
Second Year Sections (Genus of Remarkable Plants)
Third Year Sections (Noble Gases)
Fourth Year Sections (Famous Scientists)
Each section has a maximum number of 35 students, with an exception of transferees and the like. However, the number of students may decrease for the second, third, and fourth year sections because of elimination of students due to academic and behavioral problems.
Organizations
Issues and Affairs
Recently, anomalies and issues became rampant in the CCNSHS. Most of these concern the grading system and administrative policies.
(1) Grading System The school's grading system is based on the public school system. However, there have been numerous cases of faculty members "adjusting" final grades and student ranking due to pressures from the administration or parents. Underperforming students do not necessarily get kicked out from the school as per policy so long as the student has right leverage. Also, there have been cases of honor students not getting the proper merits because of the lack of transparency in the grading system.
(2) Administrative Policy There is campus-wide displeasure on how the school is being run administratively. Criticism has been placed on the unprofessional conduct of some administrators and teachers. Some school officials do not perform their roles yet receive no disciplinary measures to correct such conduct(School Nurse). Rather than taking action, higher school officials turn a blind eye to these matters.
Despite the great discrepancy in the education standard prescribed for Science High Schools versus the one currently observed in CCNSHS, there has been no action on the side of the school administration to improve. Due to internal conflicts and miscommunication, little progress is being made by teachers in this area. There is little action to procure books or train teachers to be more competent. Basic student needs for learning are still being ignored. Annual collections from the students are largely allocated for infrastructure projects (CR's, TV's, etc) that have very minimal impact in improving quality education for the students.
Some students and concerned alumni have currently organized themselves to lobby for improvement in the school system. A blog and an e-group have been put in place to promote discussion on issues. So far, there has been no tangible progress for their efforts.
*Note: In the year 2007 the issue concerning the nurse has been resolved through the efforts of the CCNSHS Administration and the PF Circle under the direction of the Guidance Counselor.