The Mindanao State University Wao Community High School is one of the thirteen (13) external units of MSU-Marawi under the leadership of Dr. Samsia M. Paitao-Dumrang, the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
It is widely regarded as one of the top secondary schools in the vicinity of Wao. It is conveniently situated at J. Carumba Street, Barangay Eastern, Wao, Lanao del Sur, making it easily accessible to students from nearby areas. The school’s academic programs encompass both Junior and Senior High School education, with a focus on providing a holistic learning experience that equips students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and values to become responsible citizens and excel in their future endeavors. Its curriculum is designed to be comprehensive and challenging, covering various academic disciplines, extracurricular activities, and character-building programs. As a result, students can expect to receive a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in college and beyond.
The school takes pride in its diverse student body, which comprises students from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. This diversity enriches the learning experience and provides students with a unique opportunity to learn from each other.
Moreover, the school has a faculty of dedicated and experienced educators who are committed to providing quality education to their students. They create a nurturing and challenging academic environment that promotes intellectual growth, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Today, the MSU Wao Community High School is composed of 37 faculty members and 6 administrative staff headed by Dr. Pizimalao P. Macabanding.
With its comprehensive curriculum, dedicated faculty, and various co-curricular and extracurricular activities, the school is an excellent choice for students looking to pursue their education and achieve their goals.
Brief History of Mindanao State University- Wao Community High School
The Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School was originally named as Wao Municipal High School. It was conceived as a non-secular public high school by Datu Tao Pagul, the Barrio Captain in 1966. This proposal caught the interest of Mr. Leonardo Lizada who was the Municipal Councilor at that time who sponsored a resolution establishing the school. Eventually the resolution was approved by the Municipal Council headed by Mayor Silverio Eleazar. The Settlement Administration allocated an available lot of 3.0887 hectares- donated by former Mayor Mamaco Saripada which was located at J. Carumba Street, Barangay Eastern, Wao, Lanao del Sur. The first class was opened in School Year 1967-1968 with Mrs. Emma Eleazar as the school head and administered by the Municipal Government. Initially it started with only seven (7) teachers.
As it became one of the pioneering and most outstanding secondary schools within the locality, the said school received commendable appreciations and recognitions from the community most especially from locals of Wao. The struggle in operating the school with lack of funds was undeniably challenging but the pioneering teachers were optimistic about the potential of the school to cater and provide quality education that every student needs.
According to Mr. Hesiquionito E. Absin in his book “Autobiography: My Way, My Life, My Story, (nd)”, by the Memorandum of Agreement between the Municipal Government of Wao and the Mindanao State University dated December 29, 1969, signed by Mayor Silverio Eleazar and on behalf of the Municipal Government of Wao and Prof. Mauyag M. Tamano for and on behalf of Mindanao State University, Wao Municipal High School became Mindano State University – Wao Community High School. By the said memorandum of agreement, the seven (7) teachers of the former Wao Municipal High School were all absorbed by Mindanao State University Wao Community High School.
Furthermore, in 1970, Mr. Romeo Villalba, Mrs. Antonia Absin and Mr. Hesiquionito E. Absin joined the teaching force of newly named MSU – Wao Community High School under the leadership of Miss Rufina Velez as acting principal. During that year, Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School was a self-supporting school. It was not receiving financial support from the mother school, Mindanao State University.
In 1972, Mr. Hesiquionito E. Absin was designated as Acting Principal by Professor Abdullah T. Madale, a high-ranking official of Mindanao State University. Under his leadership, tangible developments of the school were observed. Two (2) teachers were hired as an addition to the faculty; additional classrooms were built, and instructional materials were procured. With these developments, more students were encouraged to enroll to the school. As a result, an increase of forty (40) percent of enrolment was observed compared to the previous years.
A dire need of having a full absorption of Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School into Mindanao State University System justifying and emphasizing the situation of Wao as a frontier area settled by Muslim indigenous people and poor farmer-settlers, Mr. Hesiquionito E. Absin strived to make it possible. With all the struggles, challenges and discouragements that Mr. Absin had met and surmounted, the Board of Regents approved the full absorption of Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School into the Mindanao State University System effective November 2, 1973.
Mr. Antonio P. Garbino was appointed as the second principal of the school followed by Mrs. Rosario L. Tuling (1989 – 1995). The succeeding principals who helped hand in hand in building Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School to achieve academic excellence and the development of a well-rounded student were the following: Mrs. Angelita L. Yutig (1995 – 2008), Simeon S. Silva (2008 -2009), Miss Lynnie B. Alisasis (2009 – 2011), Mrs. Elizabeth O. Carumba (2011 – 2016) and Dr. Pizimalao P. Macabanding (2016 – Present).
In 2004, the school was renamed into Mindanao State University – Wao Community College due to the offering of 2- year courses in Agriculture and Forestry as part of the extension college of Mindanao State University Main Campus. The said extension college lasted only for seven (7) years. A year after, due to the closure of the extension college, the original name of the school was restored.
The sudden and unprecedented change of Educational System in the Philippines in 2016 brought tremendous challenge to the school. With the full implementation of the new K to 12 system (Enhanced Basic Education System) on the said year with the purpose of strengthening its curriculum and increasing the number of years of basic education, the school was caught off guard because it was not yet prepared for the new educational reform and had no Permit to Operate to offer senior high school for its Grade 10 completers.
The said problem did not hinder the school to continue its operation in Junior High School but it motivated them to find ways in applying for Permit to Operate for Senior High School. With the designated team headed by Dr. Pizimalao P. Macabanding together with Prof. Mayleen P. Malagamba, Prof. Simeon S. Silva, Prof. Ian Jay L. Tuling, and Prof. Jhon Anthony C. Catinoy, the group applied for the Permit to Operate at Department of Education, Region XII at Cotabato City. Fortunately, after two years of processing, the Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School was granted with the Permit to Operate for Senior High School in 2018 with the tracks of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; and TECH-VOC (Housekeeping, Food and Beverages Services and Computer Programming). With that the Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School decided to offer Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to all Grade 10 Completers.
Today, the Mindanao State University – Wao Community High School continues its pursuit in providing quality education to the younger generations. Indeed, the school maintains the highest standard of education along way with the challenges and trials encountered throughout the years. Through the individual micro efforts of the 35 competent and resilient teachers, the school reached its macro success every year.
In line with the Mindanao State University System External Units mission and vision, we believe that the struggles and challenges as an educator in this competitive and complex world will never end here but will continue being optimistic and productive as we could in order to sustain the quality of service we rendered to our students.
Writers:
Recel Wyna A. Gicole
Jhon Anthony C. Catinoy
Anna Theresa C. Imperial
Editor:
Rachel C. Tambanillo
A special thanks to Mr. Hesiquinito E. Absin through his book “An Autobiography: My Way, My Life, My Story”
