SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is proposing the expansion of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) System to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the country.

The Expanded Philippine Science High School System Act, or Senate Bill No. 2974, which Gatchalian co-authored and co-sponsored, calls for the establishment of a PSHS System under the administrative supervision of the Department of Science and Technology.

There will be a maximum of two PSHS campuses in each administrative region of the country, except for the National Capital Region, where the PSHS Main Campus is located. However, only one PSHS campus may be established per province.

The lack of available slots in the PSHS System has led to the rejection of qualified students. According to the Second Congressional Commission on Education’s Year Two Report, 5,807 qualified students were unable to pursue their studies in the PSHS System over the past three years due to limited slots.

Currently, there are 16 campuses under the PSHS System.

Under the proposed measure, the PSHS System will offer secondary education to qualified Grade 7 to 12 students on a scholarship basis.

“Expanding the Philippine Science High School System is timely, especially since we want to provide more young people with the opportunity to receive high-quality STEM education. We aim to ensure that we reach the qualified students who will drive innovation in our country,” said Gatchalian, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education.

The proposed measure also stipulates that fifteen years after its effectivity as a law, the PSHS Board of Trustees may establish additional campuses, based on a comprehensive review of need or demand and other criteria determined by the Board.

The Secretary of Science and Technology will serve as the Board’s Chairperson, while the Secretary of Education will serve as Vice-Chairperson.