Ano ba Meron sa PISAY at KISAY?

     Every year, thousands of Grade 6 and Grade 7 students flock to PISAY and KISAY to take the competitive or entrance examinations. Why? What's in PISAY or KISAY that many parents,   like me, are so illusioned to have their children go to these schools?

     Philippine Science High School (or to its students PISAY) and Quezon City Science High School (or KISAY) are the two premiere science high schools in Metro Manila. The schools are known to have very challenging and advanced curriculum in mathematics and sciences that produces the best professionals in the country. They are so advanced in their academic teachings compared to the regular high schools. They are supported by the government and some private sectors. Students who wish to enroll have to undergo tough and competitive examinations making sure that only the best among the cream of the crop of elementary graduating students from various schools in Metro Manila (nationwide, for PISAY) are admitted.

     My youngest child/son took the admission tests in both schools. He failed in PISAY on its one time only examination which selects only 240 among the thousands of examinees in various test centers but am not disappointed  because I know how difficult and tough the competition is. Besides I take the result as God's message for me as I am worried for his safety and his situation in commuting daily to the school if ever he makes it. Fortunately, he passed the 1st screening at KISAY which I actually prefer him to study just in case.

     This morning my son took the 2nd screening in KISAY. I noticed that there are only 21 rooms utilized for the examinations with 36 students each. It means that there are only 756 students who made it to the second level of screening in which they are to take written examinations in Language, Mathematics, and Science. It's not so crowded anymore compared to the first screening wherein thousands of parents and students hustled to get through the dense crowd. And I've heard that only 350 examinees will pass for the 3rd and final screening. The 3-hour examinations this morning is worth the effort exerted and money spent (as most parents enrolled their children in review centers weeks prior to the tests). Having reached this level is already an achievement and a great satisfaction for the parents.

   Definitely, going to PISAY or KISAY is an edge as its alumni yields a high percentage of passing the college entrance examinations as they bound to some of the great universities in the country today like UP, Ateneo, De La Salle, and UST. But parents should not be too obsessed for such reason as to force their children who are not really gifted and inclined in Mathematics and Science subjects to take chances in PISAY and KISAY or their kids might end up in a famous health institution somewhere in Mandaluyong City.

     Students enrolled in PISAY or KISAY doesn't have to worry of tuition fees because it's totally free. PISAY students even receive monthly stipend and if necessary are accorded of free board and lodging. Congratulations to all those who made it in PISAY... and Good luck to all those who are still aspiring (including my son) to make it in KISAY!