DepEd holds unified science school entry test in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has conducted the first unified science high school admission test or USHAT in Metro Manila.

Taken on Saturday by incoming Grade 7 students, the USHAT marked a significant step in strengthening the admission system, the DepEd said.

Systemic issues hampering science high schools were flagged by the Second Congressional Commission on Education.

Karol Mark Yee, EDCOM 2 executive director, cited the lack of quality assurance from the DepEd’s central office regarding the curriculum.

“Because they are often implemented in silos, the elementary-level curriculum does not effectively transition into the secondary or tertiary levels,” the EDCOM 2 explained.

“Programs such as the special science elementary schools do not link seamlessly to special science high schools,” it added.

Unlike the Philippine Science High School system that scaffolds science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, “the DepEd curriculum follows a spiral progression that fails to transition smoothly from junior high school to senior high school,” the EDCOM 2 said.

Members of the University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics monitored the examinations.