LA PAZ NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

         The establishment of a public high school in the municipality of La Paz, Tarlac has been the brainchild of Mayor Jose R. Flores Jr. It was during his first term of office (1988-1992) when the conceptualization of establishing a national high school within the town proper started. However, his dream did not materialized at that time due to provision in the law on the establishing of new schools. This law prohibits the establishment of public high school within a three kilometer-radius from an existing private high school. Thus, this became the stumbling block of Mayor Flores’ desire in pursuit of establishing a national high school within the heart of the municipality because the Great Eastern Institute, A private institution has been existing in La Paz since 1946.

          In 1992, the issue was again raised due to the insistent appeal of La Pazenians who can not afford to send their children to a private school because of financial constraints.  In answer to the call, the Sangguniang Bayan of La Paz passed Resolution No. 93-13. This resolution supported House Bill No. 4951 which was sponsored by Congressman Herminio Aquino. The bill was introduced in the 10th Congress of the Philippines on the Second Regular Session as House Bill No. 999 on July 28, 1997. This bill was enacted into law by the Senate and House of Representatives in the Third Regular Session on September 16, 1996 and on October 27, 1997 respectively. It was finally approved as law through Republic Act No. 8462 on January 19, 1998.

Republic Act No. 8462 provides that the La Paz National High School will be under the supervision of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. The Department of Budget and Management shall include in the budget of the DECS the amount necessary for the implementation of Republic Act 8462 in the General Appropriations Act for the year and thereafter.

          The first year of its operation was not easy. The usual problem on logistics and availability of school facilities were only some of them.

In 1999, the appropriated budget for the construction of La Paz National High School is only P420,000.00 which is equivalent to the salaries of three (3) high school teachers. However, with the firm determination of the local government and DECS officials, La Paz National High School managed to open its first year class for SY 1999-2000 on borrowed classroom from the Engracio M. Cataneda Central Elementary School at San Roque, La Paz, Tarlac. It started with a total enrollement of 185 students who came from the different baragays of the Municipality. The school was then headed by Mr. Wilfredo V. Salta, Education Supervisor in Science (Secondary) as officer-In-Charge, Mr. Roland V. Guerrero as Teacher-in-charge and six(6) school teachers namely: Lolita G. Castro, Mylene A. Pelayo, Lani R. Calma, Mercedes P. Rivera, Jaime R. Sahagun, & Rommel C. Santos.

            With the hard work of its previous administrators, Mr. Wilfredo V. Salta (1999-2000), Mrs. Leonarda L. Sapnu (2001-2002) and Mr. Mario M. Tayag (2003-2004), Dr. May B. Eclar (2004-2005), Mr. Lamberto F. Gamurot (2005-2007) and Mr. Adonis E. Santiago (2007-present) together with its 30 faculty members, 1 school clerk, 1 utility aid and 2 security guards today, after 12 years of its existence, La Paz, National High School boasts to be one of the fastest growing high schools in the Division of Tarlac Province. It is situated on a 500 sq. m. lot at the back of the EM Castaneda Central Elem School. It has 16 classrooms, 6 tech voc laboratory and 3 ancillary rooms. For the SY 2010-2011 it has a total enrollment of 1056.

          The year 2011 marks the 12th year of service for La Paz NHS to the whole people of La Paz both on area of southern and northern part of La Paz, SY. 2008-2009 ,marks the beginning of the new curriculum termed as STVEP-Strengthened Technical Vocational Education Program – the Advocacy of Sec. Jesli Lapuz-Mr. Adonis Santiago – school implemented the STVEP for the 1st year and succeeding up to 4th year by the year 2011 with the new school name La Paz National School of Arts and Trades.