TABUK CITY, Kalinga – One hundred forty two examinees took the qualifying examination for the 2009 Science and Technology undergraduate scholarships held on November 9 at the St. Louis College of Bulanao this city while 74 grade 6 pupils are qualified to take the Philippine Science High School test on November 15 at the St. Tonis College, here.
According to Dexy Catacutan, Science Research Analyst of the Kalinga DOST Training Center, of the total examinees for college, five are direct dependents of Overseas Filipino Workers affected by the global work retrenchment.
She said this anti-poverty program of Pres. Arroyo aims to assist the educational needs of poor but deserving students.
She said qualifiers are poor, talented and deserving students who belong to families whose socio-economic status do not exceed the set values of certain indicators as approved by the Advisory Committee of the S&T Scholarship.
He or she should be a member of the top five percent of the regular high school graduating class or of the graduating class of a DOST-SEI identified or DepEd recognized science high school.
A natural born Filipino citizen, a resident of the municipality for the last four years as attested by the barangay/school records, of good moral character and in good health and a qualifier of the 2009 S&T Scholarship examination.
Catacutan said privileges for Science and Technology undergraduate scholarships or RA 7687 are tuition and other school fees not to exceed P6,000.00/semester, allowance for prescribed textbooks and essential school supplies at P5,000.00/academic year.
Outright grant for prescribed Military Science/Physical Education uniform of P500.00 for first semester of the first year only. "Free transportation for one economy-class round trip fare between permanent residence and place of study on reimbursement basis will also be provided plus a monthly living allowance for a 10-11 month duration," Catacutan said.
She informed that scholars are given a group health and incident insurance and additional privilege during summer if required in the curriculum.
"The same criteria and eligibility applies to Science and Technology undergraduate scholarships under Merit grants," she stressed.
For the Philippine Science High School System, a graduating Grade 6 pupil must belong to the 10% of the graduating class, a Filipino citizen not more than 15 years of age, be in good health and good moral character and not have taken the PSHS NCE previously. **PIA-Kalinga
