Science High woes

Ihave fond memories of the Cebu City National Science High School, the school we referred to as “Science High,” even if my stint there was short. I did not graduate there but my affinity to the school has remained. In the few times that I went there, either to lecture on editorial writing or when I accompanied my son who took the qualifying examinations there, I always pause a bit to reminisce.

When I graduated from City Central School in Cebu City, I had several options on where to enroll in high school. I was accepted as a scholar in the old Cebu School of Arts and Trade (CSAT) and passed the entrance test in Abellana National School. I chose Science High in Labangon even though going there from our place in Barangay Sambag 2 (Sitio Kawayan) was a daily challenge.

We were, if I remember correctly, the third batch of scholars to enter the school since it was established. At that time, only the top 10 percent of the graduating students from the city’s public schools were allowed to take the qualifying exams. I wasn’t so focused academically but I was in Section 1 and the diktat was for Sections 1 and 2 to take the test. I passed.

Soon, I realized that I erred in my choice of a school. Science High’s standard was up there and the focus on mathematics and science caught me off-guard. I liked mathematics as a subject but I thought the stress on it (math and science were three-hour subjects) was too much. In City Central, I was loose and even cut classes to watch Tagalog movies in nearby theaters.

I can still remember the Science High campus then. All it had were two small structures separated by a wide vacant lot at the back of the elementary school in Labangon. Barangay Sambag 2 was not far from the place but I needed two rides to go there, one going to Colon St. and the other from Colon to Labangon. Riding took time so I preferred to walk from our place crossing the river going to Barangay Calamba and then following the shortcut across the Calamba cemetery.

When you go across a cemetery alone, passing by a number of graves, all the talks you had about the dead comes back to haunt you. I would therefore wait for passersby so I would have a companion inside. But when forced to do it alone, I would run as fast as I could until I would already steer clear of the graves.

But I would sometimes cut classes and instead head for the theaters I was familiar with near City Central. I was watching a Tagalog action film when I heard people around me talk about then president Ferdinand Marcos having declared martial law. I thought I would sea military tanks patrolling the streets when I got out, There wasn’t any.

Now Science High is a big campus with a number of buildings and a vacant lot as breathing space. I understand it now accepts graduates from private schools.

Recent reports say Science High is seeking the help of the Cebu City Government so it can settle its electricity bills. That’s the price the school has to pay in upgrading its facilities and having a bigger number of students with the opening of senior high school classes under the K-12 program.

I hope the City and the Department of Education would help so the students won’t be attending classes there without electricity.