DOST searches for new scholars
Roxas City -- The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is scouting for the next government scholars in high school.
Science and Technology Specialist Gerbe Dellava of DOST in Capiz disclosed that they are again in search for high school scholars under the government's Philippine Science High School System (PSHSS).
He explained that the PSHS offers on a free scholarship basis a secondary course with emphasis on subjects pertaining to science with the end view of preparing its students for careers in science and technology.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo recently announced an increase from P3.5 billion to P5.5 billion or 51 percent to the DOST's budget next year.
The increase is the President's response to the impressive outstanding achievement of the public school students in Science and Math competitions abroad.
With the new budget, the DOST has to increase the spending of PSHS by 68 percent in order to create more champions in the future, the President said.
The President said that under the increased budget, the DOST will finance the construction of two science and technology projects of the University of the Philippines (UP) on research and technology incubation at the university information and technology zone.
The project is part of the government's investments on human and physical infrastructure to sustain the economic growth of 7 percent, President Arroyo said.
Meanwhile, some 10 high school students from Capiz are enjoying the government's scholarship program through the PSHSS, Dellava said.
He said that four of said high school scholars are in first year, three in second year, two in third year and one in fourth year.
Among the privileges of these government high school scholars are free tuition fees, free loan of books and monthly living allowance for 10 months per year, he stressed.
(PIA)