Fisheries scholarship program open to high school graduates nationwide

MANILA, Philippines - Graduating high school students who belong to the top 10 percent of their class may take the competitive examination for admission into the Fisheries Scholarship program of the Department of Education (DepEd) and Department of Agriculture (DA) on March 17.

In a memorandum, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said the examination is open to all highschool graduates and those soon to graduate who have been certified by their respective school heads as among the upper 10 percent of their class.

Applicants must be Filipino citizens, not more than 20 years old, and have not earned any college units. They must also be of good moral standing, physically fit, free from any criminal, civil and administrative liability, and must be “genuinely interested to pursue studies in fisheries.”

The examination will include test items in Science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics), English (Grammar and Reading), Basic Fisheries and Mathematics (Applied Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry).

The examination on March 17 will be administered by the Fisheries Scholarship Secretariat assisted by a maximum of four proctors and one coordinator designated by the DepEd Regional Director.

Testing centers for Region I and CAR will be at La Union National High School in San Fernando, La Union; Region II at Cagayan National High School in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; Region III at Jose Abad Santos High at City of San Fernando, Pampanga; Regions IV and NCR at Batangas National High School in Batangas City; Region V at Albay Central School in Legaspi City;

Region VI at Western Visayas College of Science and Technology in La Paz, Iloilo; Region VII at Abellana National High School in Tacloban City; Region IX at Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology in Zamboanga City; Region X and CARAGA at Cagayan de Oro City Central School in Cagayan de Oro City; Region XI at Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Elementary School in Davao City; and Region XII and ARMM at Cotabato City Central Pilot School in Cotabato City.

Five scholars per region will be picked for admission into the program for academic year 2012-2013. A graduate of the program will obtain the degree of Bachelor of Science in Fisheries.

A scholar absorbed into the program will be entitled to free tuition and other school fees, book allowance of P2,000 per semester, monthly stipend of P2,500, thesis and practicum support, and graduation support.

Application forms may be obtained and submitted at the division and regional offices of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Applicants must file their applications on or before Feb. 14.