School gardens vital to academic performance

MANILA, Philippines —  Education Secretary Leonor Briones has underscored the “multi-functionality of school gardens,” particularly their vital role in enhancing academic performance of school children.

These “ready food baskets” in school grounds, according to Briones, contribute significantly in helping minimize children’s malnutrition and nutrient deficiency problems.

“Gone are the days when one hears the word education and what only comes to mind are mental pictures of textbooks, pencils, chalk board. Clearly, school gardens contribute to the fulfillment of our mandate as a department,” Briones said at the “International Conference on School Gardens” held last April 16-17 at the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture based in the University of the Philippines Los Baños.