Regional Science High School For Region 2 - History

History

A piece of land. You think it is hopelessly abandoned? It used to be, 16 years ago. Now, it is the location of one of the best schools in the region, the Regional Science High School (RSHS) for Region 2 at Tumauini, Isabela.

Regional Science High School was established during the School Year 1994-1995 by virtue of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) Order No. 69, series 1993 "to provide for a more intensive and advanced secondary education program with special reference to science". RSHS - Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol and Cordillera were among the 11 RSHSs instituted during that year.

The RSHS for this region was originally initiated by Mr. Tomas A. Ratum, the former regional director of the DECS (now DepEd). The then chief of the Secondary Education Division for Region 2, Mr. Francisco P. Taccad, proposed that the Tumauini National High School (Isabela National High School–Tumauini annex then) be the mother school of the would-be RSHS. There were many places to choose from before, like Naguilian, Isabela and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. When the petition was granted in the National Office, Mr. Taccad went straight to the Office of the Municipal Mayor then, Hon. Ricardo M. Angobung. When everything was set, the construction of the school began.

Then enrollment was up next. The institution expected about 210 students for that school year, 1994–95, with 6 sections, that will house 35 students per section. But since it was only an infant then, RSHS didn’t get the targetted population. Only 79 students enrolled, most of them came from Tumauini. Many traveled all the way from Cagayan to Tumauini just to be able to be listed as the first omnipotent batch of the RSHS Cagayan Valley.

Young teachers made up the faculty of the juvenile school. Some were borrowed from Isabela National High School – Main, where four teachers majoring in General Science, two majoring in Chemistry, one majoring in Biology, three in Math and four in English were set to teach the adolescent minds of Cagayan Valley. Mrs. Nelia Z. Anguluan stood as the mother of all the teachers in RSHS were she was the OIC.

Classes were conducted at the newly constructed 2-storey SEDP building of the TNHS, the mother school. The school shared its buildings, classrooms, science laboratory, cabinets and other accessories since there weren’t enough funds for the RSHS during that time. RSHS may not be that financially able then, but its outcomes - the students, made the mere existence of the school enough.

Through the years, RSHS joined many competitions, up until the present. The previous and current students of the school give honor and glory to it in almost all contests, mostly academic battles that it joins. Because of these feats, the school had made its name in the history of education and is now known nationwide.

For many years, the school has asked for the permission of the Central Office to be able to separate from its mother school, since every year seemed to be an improvement and it showed it can be independent already. Indeed RSHS has prepared for its ultimate division from the TNHS.

After a long wait, the formal request was contracted. In January 2005, nine RSHS teachers that held TNHS items were given RSHS items marking the beginning of RSHS as a separate institution. Then in March 27, 2007, Dr. Fabio M. Macalling was appointed as the first principal of RSHS. His installation was done last July 12, 2007.

The RSHS, staff and faculty alike, have gone through many tough situations. Through thick and thin, this prestigious school has stood strong; maintaining its high standards but still remains a public high school that openly accepts less fortunate but deserving students in Region 2.

Through all the glitz and glitter, RSHS proved to be a school worth emulating, a school that is a dream come true for any hardworking teenager, and a school that not only teaches, but brings out the best in each and every young mind that seeks for more profound knowledge in the major subjects of Science, Mathematics and English. No wonder it is called “the center of excellence!”