Regional Science High School for Region VI

Regional Science High School for Region VI (formerly , Science Development National High School)

(Facade of the structure where the cultural institution holds office)

(Facade of the structure where the cultural institution holds office)

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

MUNICIPALITY/CITY: Kalibo

PROVINCE: Aklan

LOCATION/ADDRESS: Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan

(Logo of the institution with description of the symbols and meanings)

Set upon a green-bordered disc, the school’s name, Regional Science High School for Region VI, is embossed in the logo with its date of establishment. An institution designed for the scientifically and mathematically gifted, the inner circle, which forms the focal point of the emblem, evidently displays the book of knowledge containing a microscope and some mathematical symbols. Laid beneath the book is a torch symbolizing the RSHS VI blazing mission of providing wisdom for communal progress through science, the battle cry it pays to practice.

Deeply set in the foreground is the map of the Island of Panay as the school is considered the region’s flag bearer of the Department of Education in Science and Mathematics education, set to cater to the exceptionally-endowed youths of Western Visayas. The dominant color scheme used in the logo is white and green. As white signifies brilliance, green, on the other hand, indicates hope and growth that fairly lies in this institution and these well-educated young minds.

TYPE OF CULTURAL INSTITUTION: (Indicate if it is a library, museum, formal education, alternative learning system, gallery and/or others)

The Regional Science High School for Region VI is a formal education secondary public science high school.

II. NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION

(Include the mandate, history, officials, contact details and other pertinent data)'

Adhering to the belief that education is the best investment for future generations, Dr. Constancio I. Constantino, then Chairman, Committee on Education and Culture of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of the Province of Aklan sometime in 1979 conceived the idea of establishing a unique provincial high school for the intellectually-gifted and science-mathematics oriented youth of the province. Supportive to the novel idea, former Governor Roberto Q. Garcia issued Executive Order No.22, s. 1979, creating a steering committee to study and work for establishing the provincial high school. Based on carefully evaluated and verified information submitted by the committee, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, during the 45th regular session, approved Resolution No. 178, s. 1979 on December 7, 1979, which authorized the establishment of Aklan Development High School (ADHS).

The school's mission is to prepare from among the province’s best minds a corps of future leaders for all development phases. The ADHS is modeled after the Manila Science High School, which offers a Special Science Secondary Education Curriculum with selective admission and retention requirements for students.

The authority to operate the first-year class was favorably endorsed by Schools Division Superintendent Joaquin Tesoro and was approved by Minister Onofre D. Corpus on March 11, 1980. The pioneer first-year class consisted of 37 scholars who were selected based on a competitive admission test administered by the Science Foundation of the Philippines Center No. 6. The class was formally opened by the MEC Regional Director Antonio B. Tanchuan on June 9, 1980, for the school year 1980 to 1981 and temporarily housed at the Bagong Lipunan Building of the Kalibo Pilot Elementary School. The second, third, and fourth years were progressively organized every succeeding year thereafter. The school was transferred to its temporary site at the Provincial Capitol compound in the school year 1981-82.

In the school year 1982 to 1983, SP Resolution No. 58, s. 1982 requested a change of the name of Aklan Development High School of Aklan ( SDHSA) to make it more suggestive of its Special Science Secondary Education Curriculum. Approval of the change of name was signed by MEC Minister Onofre D. Corpus on December 23, 1982.

The most remarkable event in the historical development of the school was the acquisition of a permanent school site. On June 21, 1991, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan passed and approved Resolution No. 039, s. 1991, donating a portion of one (1) hectare of real property acquired by the Provincial Government from the Development Bank of the Philippines to the SDHSA and authorizing the Provincial Governor to execute the Deed of Donation. The Deed of Donation was made and entered into by and between the Provincial Government of Aklan, represented by Governor Corazon L. Cabagnot, and the Department of Education, Culture, and Sports- Science Development National High School of Aklan represented by the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent, Officer-in-Charge, Division of Aklan, Mr. Crescente S. Alabado on July 11, 1991. The newly-acquired school site is located in Barangay Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.

The P3.2 million DECS-SEDP Building consists of an Administration Office, four academic classrooms, library, laboratory, and home economics room. (Retrieved from SDNHS Yearbook, Batch 2000)

The new school site was inaugurated on October 4, 1993 in Barangay Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. Present during the ceremony was Gov. Corazon L. Cabagnot, Mr. Felix Garzon, Chief of the Division of Secondary Education, Schools division Superintendent Crescente S. Alabado, Mayor Diego S. Luces, Rev. Fr. Alex A. Meńez, Parish Priest of Kalibo, and Brgy. Capt. Rodigondes R. Marte of Old Buswang. (The Pillars’ Memoirs, SDNHS Yearbook, Batch 1995). SDHSA was then changed to Science Development National High School (SDNHS) due to the Department of Education, Culture and Sports order that all barangay high schools be named national high schools.

A permanent extension classroom and a guard house (through the effort of the PTCA) were built in 1994-1995. Two more classrooms were constructed in SY 1995, and a fence was built a year after, also through the efforts of the PTCA. Because of the growing population of the SDNHS, make-shift classrooms made of nipa and bamboo were built, four in 1994 and two in 1995, all through the efforts of concerned parents.

Gradually, classrooms made of light materials were demolished to give way to more permanent structures. In 1996, a science laboratory was constructed, and each year thereafter, classrooms were built under the DECS Regular School Building Program. In March 1997, four classrooms funded out of the CDF of Senator Edgardo Angara were built. (Retrieved from SDNHS Yearbook, Batch 2000) It was in the year 1999 to 2000 when SDNHS was converted into a Regional Science High School for Region VI (RSHS VI). This now hopes to cater to the youths of Western Visayas who are scientifically and mathematically inclined.

As time passed by, more classrooms/buildings were erected. Moreover, in 2016, the K to 12 paved the way for offering Academic Strands—Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM) in RSHS VI for Senior High School students. Two additional multi-story buildings for the Senior High School were constructed.

Several science laboratories were also established. A covered court courtesy of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV and of the Magdalo Partylist was likewise put up.

Since its establishment, school heads who steered the rudder of the institution were the late Dr. Concepcion Constantino (wife of the school founder, Dr. Constancio I. Constantino), Mrs. Merlyn S. Carrillo, and Mrs. Maria Santia A. Arboleda.