PALO, Leyte – The Region 8 office here of the Department of Education (DepEd 8) has formally enforced starting this school year “Project: Special Science Elementary School” (SSES) in seven selected learning centers in Eastern Visayas, it was learned recently.

Lawyer Alberto Escobarte, Region 8 assistant director of DepEd, said the project, initiated by the agency’s Bureau of Elementary Education (BEE) headed by Director Yolanda Quijano, is designed to develop grade school children with higher aptitude for science and mathematics through the implementation of enhanced Science and Mathematics curriculum at the elementary level.

Project SSES was first piloted for three school years in selected elementary schools in 16 regions composed of classes with mentally-gifted and fast-learning pupils, Escobarte said.

The project, he said, was formally adopted nationwide at the opening of School Year (SY) 2010-2011 by the BEE after appropriate evaluation and refinement and necessary orientation of concerned school heads and teachers.

Escobarte identified the SSES project implementers in Eastern Visayas as the Borongan Pilot Elementary School in Eastern Samar, Baybay Central Elementary School in Leyte, Tomas Oppus Central Elementary School in Southern Leyte, Santo Niño Special Education (SPED) Center in Tacloban City, Catbalogan Central Elementary School in Western Samar, Ormoc City Central Elementary School, and Calbayog City Central Elementary School.

Children enrolled in the SSESs were chosen using necessary criteria which included psychological and academic test and children’s interest inventory, Escobarte said, adding that the graduating pupils will be gradually mainstreamed to the Science and Technology High Schools in various parts of the region to further hone their skills in Science and Mathematics.

Escobarte added that heads of concerned SSESs have been admonished by DepEd to become progressive and academically active even as they were directed to network with leaders of the community, local government units (LGUs) and civic groups to enable them to source out necessary human, material and fund resources.

According to Escobarte, the SSES project will be closely monitored by division and regional education supervisors to ensure its successful enforcement.