Getting itself more involved in the education sector, the Yuchengco group of companies (YGC) has announced the opening a new private science high school aimed at catering to students who cannot be accommodated at public science high schools but have the means to enter a state-of-the-art, science and technology-oriented secondary school.
Malayan High School of Science (MHSS), whose sleek and modern building is located at the old Otis Street (now Paz Guazon St.) in Pandacan, Manila, was inaugurated by top private and public officials, including Manila Mayor Jose L. Atienza Jr. and YGC chair Alfonso Yuchengco last January 16.
The YGC also controls renowned engineering school Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT), making the MHSS a sister school of the MIT. Both schools have a common president, Reynaldo B. Vea, a former dean of the UP College of Engineering and first valedictorian of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS).
Vea, in an interview, said the new school’s curriculum will be heavy on math and science, ICT, biotechnology, material science, nanotechnology, and robotics. "From first year to fourth year, students will have additional subjects on three areas: science, math, and ICT."
Being an alumnus of the PSHS, the country’s top science high school, Vea said he infused some of the methods that he learned there as a student. "Aside from academic excellence, we were given the freedom to explore and satisfy our curiosity through the scientific method. That’s what we’re also doing here, to let the students imagine."
"A science high school is very crucial because the global economy is driven by science and technology. The more science institutions we have, the better for the country," he added.
Asked to differentiate the school from the YGC-owned Mapua High, Vea said the latter is basically a pre-engineering institution while the MHSS is inclined towards preparing students for a college course on science and technology.
He declined to say how much was spent to put up the sophisticated school building and whether MHSS is the first private science high school in the country. "There might be other private science high schools existing out there so it’s hard to say."
The tuition for one whole year, he said, could cost from R65,000 to R70,000 per student. The grading period is the same as that of other schools.
For admission, Vea said they will rely more on the results of the entrance examination that they will administer for prospective students rather than their elementary grades. "But they should not have grades below 80 in math and science."
The school is now accepting applicants for its school opening this June 2006 through its website, www.malayanscience.net.ph or email hs.admissions@malayanscience.net.ph. (Melvin G. Calimag)
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