The series of typhoons that has been hitting the country in the past days brought havoc to many of the residents particularly in the central and southern Luzon provinces. This has prompted the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its agency, the Science Education Institute (SEI), to move the schedule of the nationwide S & T Scholarship Examination from December 5, 2004 to January 9, 2005.

Thousands of graduating students have applied for the DOST scholarship shall enjoy the privileges when they enter college next year. These include financial assistance to cover tuition and other school fees, stipends, uniform and book allowances. These future scholars are to pursue baccalaureate degree programs in priority science courses in selected universities and colleges.

There are more than 3, 000 new S & T scholars admitted every year. This year preparations are underway for screening next year’s new batch of scholars. The process includes the administration of the National S & T Scholarship Examination in various testing centers all over the country. However, the prevailing inclement weather conditions have affected thousands of families in the provinces and devastated many of the schools which are used as testing centers. Most of these schools in the severely affected regions are also used as evacuation centers.

The postponement is deemed necessary to give way for the more urgent and pressing needs of the families of the scholarship applicants and to ensure the safety of the participants’ students as well as the examiner and proctors who will be administering the examination.