New school in Quezon seen as ‘science hub’

LUCENA CITY—A three-story school facility to serve as a “science hub” for Quezon’s bright students, scholars and researchers has been inaugurated by the provincial government.

The imposing building of the Quezon Science High School is located along the diversion road of the Maharlika Highway inside a 3.7-hectare government property in Barangay Isabang in Tayabas City.

“Through this science high school, we will make sure that all its graduates are ably prepared and equipped to become future leaders of the province and the country,” Gov. David Suarez. said in a speech during the inauguration program on Aug. 17.

Originally, the building was intended as a science museum when it was constructed during the time of the late Gov. Rafael Nantes. But according to Suarez, putting up a science museum would not be feasible because of bigger and attractive competitors in Metro Manila.

The provincial government likewise dropped a plan to convert the structure into a call center site due to lack of local manpower.

Late last year, Gloria Potes, Quezon school division superintendent, proposed to Suarez that the empty building be transformed into a science high school. “I told him that Quezon is the only province in the Calabarzon region without science high school,” Potes said.

The governor readily agreed.

The school opened its doors to the first batch of more than 70 freshmen coming from different parts of the province, even as far as the Polilio group of islands. “Most of them graduated at the top of their elementary class,” Carmela Ezcel Orugo, education program supervisor, said.

The students will enjoy free tuition and other school fees, free board and lodging at the nearby trade and investment center building, free food and access to computers, Internet and other modern learning equipment.

Nine teachers will handle specialized and advance Science, Math and English subjects. Sixteen other staff members have been hired.