The Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS) (Filipino: Pambansang Mataas na Paaralang Ramon Torres) is one of seven public secondary schools in the city of Bago, in Negros Occidental, Philippines.

History Ramon Torres National High School was originally named Bago Junior High School then, Bago High School, Bago Community High School, and Bago City High School.

With the implementation of Resolution No. 1310 series of 1977 passed by the Sanguniang Panlungsod of Bago and approved by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, the school was renamed Ramon Torres Memorial High School in honor of its chief founder, former Senator Ramon Torres, who had lobbied for its establishment in 1947 as Bago's first public high school.

In July 1983, Ramon Torres Memorial High School was again converted by virtue of Batas Pambansa 411 into the Ramon Torres National High School.

At the time it was established, the school had a population of 244 students, 124 boys and 120 girls in the school year 1947–1948. By 1972, the student population had reached 2,285 and by 1997, it had 8,807 students, including those in its six extension schools: RT Dulao National High School, Rt Malingin National High School, RT Taloc National High School, RT Sagasa National High School, RT Ma-ao Sugar Central National High School, and RT Louisiana National High School.

To decongest the RTNHS Main and minimize expenses among students residing at Barangay Dulao and Barangay Malingin, Resolution No. 1430 dated May 17, 1978, approved and authorized the establishment of two extension classes which opened on school year 1978–1979.

In 1979, extension schools were established at Barangay Sagasa and Barangay Taloc. There were approximately 4,000 high school students at the Main School for school year 1980-1981 and approximately 800 of these students resided at Barangay Ma-ao Central and its neighboring barangays. Due to this, the city school administration and city government officials decided to open an extension school at Barangay Ma-ao Central by virtue of Resolution No. 1886 series of 1980 and Resolution No. 1971 series of 1981. The RTHNS MSC Extension started its operation school year 1981–1982.

Due to the existing cost of secondary education in private schools located at Barangay Ma-ao, the Sanguniang Panlungsod established a public high school located at the Louisiana Elementary School campus effective school year 1984-1985 by virtue of Resolution No. 2562 series of 1984.

In 2007, the Schools Division Office authorized the opening of additional public secondary schools including RT Malingin National High School - Atipuluan Extension, RT Bagroy National High School, and the stand-alone Bago City Senior High School.

Founders and benefactors Ex-Senator Ramon Torres Mr. Angel Salas Ex-Mayor Carlos Dreyfus Ex-Mayor Luis Matti Hon. Romualdo Araneta Ex-Mayor Jose T. Yulo Mr. Mauricio Milabo, Sr. Miss Laura V. Javellana Mr. Woodrow Araneta Mr. Beato Dormido Mr. Sotico Lamela Mr. Cesar Bico Dr. Maximiano Villanueva Mr. Ricardo Montinola

Past and present administrators

Principals Mr. Simplicio Arquero, Principal - 1947-1959 Miss Piedad S. Villanueva, Principal - 1960-1961 Mr. Jorge M. Martir, Teacher-in-Charge - 1961-1962 Mr. Alfredo Corral, Principal - 1962-1968 Miss Elisa T. Dreyfus, Principal - 1968-1975 Miss Ninfa T. Jardinico, Principal III - 1975-August 1993 Miss Heidi M. Estandarte, Principal IV - Sept. 1, 1993-Sept. 1, 2010 Dr. Portia M. Mallorca, Assistant Schools Division Superintendent/Officer-in-Charge - Sept. 2, 2010-May 2011 Mr. Fortunato M. Filomeno, Principal IV - May 2011–May 2018 Mr. Elmer B. Cabiles, Public Schools District Supervisor/Officer-in-Charge - May 2018-July 2019 Dr. Jonaida V. Gasendo, Principal III - July 2019 – present

Curriculum The Ramon Torres National High School implements the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC) as prescribed by the Department of Education of the Philippines.

Basic Education CurriculumSubject Grade 7 Grade 8Grade 9 Grade 10 English Grammar 7, Philippine Literature Grammar 8, Afro-Asian Literature English and American Literature, Mythology and Folklore World Literature, Campus Journalism Mathematics Elementary Algebra Intermediate Algebra Geometry Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry and Statistics Science and Technology General Science Biology, Biological Science Chemistry Physics, Physical Science Filipino Balarila, Ibong Adarna Teksto, Florante at Laura Panitikang Pilipino, Noli Me Tangere Panitikang Asyano, El Filibusterismo Araling Panlipunan (AP) Kasaysayan at Pamahalaan ng Pilipinas Kasaysayan at Kultura ng Asya Kasaysayan at Sibilisasyon ng Daigdig Ekonomiks Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) MAPEH 7 MAPEH 8 MAPEH 9 MAPEH 10/Citizenship Advancement Training (CAT) I Technology and Livelihood Education (TLE)¹ Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Agriculture Arts, Entrepreneurship Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Agriculture Arts, Entrepreneurship optional optional Edukasyon Sa Pagpapakatao (ESP) ESP 7 ESP 8 ESP 9 ESP 10

¹RTNHS offers the following TLE courses in Grade 9 and Grade Ten levels including: Culinary Arts, Dressmaking, Cosmetology, Nursing Arts, Related Crafts, Industrial Arts, Agricultural Arts, Entrepreneurship, Computer Education

Administration The Ramon Torres National High School is administrated by a secondary school principal. The current administrator is Dr. Jonaida V. Gasendo. There are also 9 department heads for academic, support and administrative units of the institution.

School heads Principal I: Dr. Jonaida V. Gasendo Assistant Principal II in Academics, Senior High School: Mrs. Girlie A. Panaguiton Assistant Principal II in Operations and Learners Support, Senior High School: Dr. Mary Jane A. Araneta

Sections

The Ramon Torres National High School has 30 sections for the Grade Seven level, 23 sections in Grade Eight, 20 sections for the Grade Nine and 18 sections in Grade Ten. Each sections is facilitated by a Section Adviser and each year level is supervised by a Class Adviser usually assumed by the Section Adviser of the first section.

References