HISTORY OF ZAMBOANGA DEL NORTE NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL- DIPOLOG CITY                       

Starting from a scanty pioneering class what is dubbed as the overpopulated “dumping – pit”, Zamboanga del Norte including its twin cities of Dipolog and Dapitan with its numerous enrollees, Zamboanga del Norte National High School’s humble  take – off can be traced back to the early post – war time – 1946.

                        Due to the populaces’ insistent clamor for higher education made intense to shake off war aftermath, which caused them to travel to nearby island provinces of Negros and Cebu, the provincial government of once – unified Zamboanga Peninsula, through ex–Governor Felipe B. Azcuna, authorized the transfer of Zamboanga Provincial High School, then operating in the erstwhile capital town of Zamboanga (now Zamboanga City), to his hometown in up north Dipolog, thus beginning the chain of efforts.

                        What made this school what is now today from Zamboanga del Norte Provincial High School it became Zamboanga del Norte National High School in December 1, 1977. It brings us to the achievements of dedicated school administrators, who more than did their best to mould the present institution, namely:  Jose Sol Baloria, 1946 – 1947; Buenaventura Yason, 1947 – 1952; Primitivo B. Adan, 1952 – 1962; Lilia E. Hamac, 1962 – 1981; Francisco D. Gonzales (Ex – Officio) 1981 – 1983; Catalina S. Sulit, 1983 – 1994; Regie P. Tiu, 1994 – 1996; Milagros V. Jauculan (OIC) 1996 – 1998; Benigno D. Evardo, 1998 – 2000, Pangsayan T. Radi, Sr., 2000 – 2005; Elegio C. Ellema, 2005 – 2007; Dr. Lilibeth G. Ratificar, 2008 – October 14, 2012; Alexander C. Uy, 2012 –  2014; Victorina G. Perez, SDS, (Ex – Officio) 2014 – 2015; Edgardo S. Cabalida, April 1, 2015 to Present.

                        On its way to growth and development alongside DepEd’s thrusts on value – oriented curriculum and the current trends in humanistic education which bring the learning into sharp focus, the school has been challenged to live up to its role – i.e., to produce valuing and skilled literate high school graduates for higher education.

                        The Zamboanga del Norte National High School was then under the administrative jurisdiction of The Division of Zamboanga del Norte and was later transferred to the Division of Dipolog City in March 29,1996 per CY 1996 General Appropriations Act (R.A. 8174) and all budgetary transactions since the school is located within the City of Dipolog.

                        The main drawback lies on its dearth physical facilities. Since its first hosting of the 1964 Northern Mindanao Athletic Meet, the school has been the venue of a series of local and national sports fests.

                        On September 12, 2001, the Zamboanga del Norte national High School (ZNNHS) thru its principal, Pangsayan T. Radi, Sr. applied for Presidential Proclamation of Lot 710, a public land located on its main Campus.

                        Unfortunately the Provincial Governor of Zamboanga del Norte, Isagani S. Amatong sent his opposition to the Director of Lands on March 7, 2002. The school sent its argument against Governor Amatong’s  opposition to Director Zuñiga. The DENR – Region IX conducted an ocular inspection of lot 710, and after a few weeks rendered its decision in favor of the school on September 26, 2003. The former Provincial Governor appealed its case to the Secretary, DENR – Manila. At present DENR approved the Special Patent for the school and we now await for the release of the Title in the name of Zamboanga del Norte National High School from the Register of Deeds.

                        On September 12, 2001, the Zamboanga del Norte national High School (ZNNHS) thru its principal, Pangsayan T. Radi, Sr. applied for Presidential Proclamation of Lot 710, a public land located on its main Campus.

                        Unfortunately the Provincial Governor of Zamboanga del Norte, Isagani S. Amatong sent his opposition to the Director of Lands on March 7, 2002. The school sent its argument against Governor Amatong’s  opposition to Director Zuñiga. The DENR – Region IX conducted an ocular inspection of lot 710, and after a few weeks rendered its decision in favor of the school on September 26, 2003. The former Provincial Governor appealed its case to the Secretary, DENR – Manila. At present DENR approved the Special Patent for the school and we now await for the release of the Title in the name of Zamboanga del Norte National High School from the Register of Deeds.

                        Towards this end, the school has successfully launched 7 flagship programs, namely: the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC), ESEP Special Science Class, Special Program in Sports (SPS), Strengthened Technical Vocational Education (STVE), Special Program in the Arts (SPA), and Special Program in Journalism (SPJ), which is on its second year of implementation, Balik – Paaralan Para sa Out – of – School Adults (BP – OSA / ALS) and the High School Summer Class Program.

                        The Main Campus offers Basic Education Curriculum (BEC), Special Program in Sports (SPS), Strengthened Technical Vocational Education (STVE), Balik – Paaralan para sa Out – of – School Adults (BP – OSA / ALS) and the High School Summer Class Program.

                        Under the school’s first initiative, the school shall be empowered to take a more active role in the development and implementation of appropriate reform initiatives. An example to it is the integration of Strengthened Technical Vocational Education Program in the Basic Education System in the Secondary  which this High School was granted a Government Authority Tech – Voc (Region – IX) Nov. 001, s. 2007.

                        In the school – Based Management (SBM) Program, the school is strengthening the Technical Vocational Education offering food trades, electricity, welding, building construction, and PC Hardware Servicing Courses.         

                        With these at hand, the family then went to work relentlessly, facing gigantic challenges that demanded everyone’s talents and skills, unequalled patience and ability to resolve.

                        Zamboanga del Norte National High School has three campuses, ZNNHS Campus I – Main is located at Estaka, Campus II – located at Turno and Campus III at Miputak all in Dipolog City. With the growing population of ZNNHS, the school administration through its Faculty Association requested the Provincial Government of Zamboanga del Norte to donate a portion of its property in Turno, Dipolog City that is two kilometers away from the Main Campus of ZNNHS at Estaka, Dipolog City.

                        After several appearances and appeals before the Provincial Board for its resolution to donate the said property in Turno. It was discovered that the property appealed for is owned by the National Government in the name of Dipolog Normal College.

                        Thus, after being informed of the real status of the said lot, the school’s request had been directed to the House of Representatives through Congressman Ernesto S. Amatong, to enact a law repealing R. A. 3884 establishing a Normal College in Dipolog City and transferring Title and Ownership of the Real Property of Dipolog Normal College to the Zamboanga del Norte National High School.

                        In December 1, 1988, the Honorable Congressman Ernesto S. Amatong furnished the school a copy of the Bill which was passed. R.A. 6962 was approved on August 17, 1990 for the transfer and ownership of the lot from Dipolog Normal College to Zamboanga del Norte National High School.                    

                        Subsequently, on February 22, 1991, a land title had been issued in the name of Zamboanga del Norte high School. To make use of the property donated, the former school principal, Mrs. Catalina S. Sulit, had initiated classroom construction. The first building constructed was the Cariño Building, now housed by mostly first year students. The growing population of ZNNHS justified the construction of more buildings thus, creating two campuses now of ZNNHS.

                        At present, Turno Campus is expanding as our enrollment increases every year. More facilities are needed to meet the ever – growing number of students. This high school belongs to the big school category and was awarded as The Most Effective Secondary School in Region IX.