VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — The Philippine Science High School-Ilocos Region Campus (PSHS-IRC) encouraged Grade 6 students in the region and nearby provinces to join their roster of scholars through the National Competitive Examination (NCE) to be conducted on November 18, 2023.

During the press conference held on Tuesday, September 26 at the Advance Science and Technology Building of the school located in San Ildefonso town of Ilocos Sur province, Dr. Ronalee Orteza, the campus director of PSHS-IRC, encouraged incoming Grade 7 students and their parents to take the NCE.

“Kung interesado talaga [sila] sa Science at Math, dito po ang best preparatory school to be scientists, engineers, mathematicians, technologists, etc. balang araw. Kung nakikitaan po ng magulang ang mga anak nila na dito ang leaning, sana subukan nila ang Pisay,” she said.

She added, “Kasi ipinagmamalaki namin na premiere STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education begins at Pisay, and we hope that we can increase the pool of scientists and engineers because the progress of the country depends on science and innovations. I hope maparami ang estudyante natin who will later contribute to the national development.”

Only 15,000 applicants nationwide will be called to take the exam, and only 1,920 qualifiers are eligible to enroll as incoming seventh graders for the school year 2024-2025 at their chosen campus.

All current Grade 6 students who qualify with the requirements may apply until October 13, 2023.

A final grade of 85% or better in Science and Mathematics is required of applicants; however, those who belong in the top 10% of their batch may also apply if they can provide a certification from their current school.

The Pisay also emphasizes that only Filipino citizens with no pending or approved application as immigrants to any foreign country will be accommodated.

Moreover, the PSHS is providing reviewers to students, which are available on their campuses and offices of the Department of Science and Technology.

For further information on the exam, interested students and parents may visit the official Facebook page of Pisay Ilocos. (JCR/AMB/ATV, PIA Ilocos Sur)