Briones underscores sci-tech role in sustainable human dev’t

MANILA, Philippines — Science and technology (S&T) plays a crucial role in the country’s push for sustainable human development, according to Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

The Duterte administration recognizes the importance of S&T if the country wants to be sufficient in its basic needs despite the robust population growth seen every year.

This was the assurance given by the education chief when she spoke on behalf of President Duterte during the recently concluded five-day National S&T Week (NSTW) held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

“We have 27.2 million learners in basic education alone and every year, more than a million children enter the school system, so that means we need food, clothing and shelter,” Briones said.

“And if these (were) produced in a traditional way, probably, we would not be able to feed all our children or clothe all of them. This is where science comes in,” she added.

Briones likewise discussed the three major aspects of human development by which a country’s progress is ranked and measured: education, health and income.

The education chief stressed how these have to be attained within the framework of sustainable development, “never at the expense of our environment, never at the expense of the future generations who will suffer if we abuse the resources that we are gifted by nature.”

Briones also thanked Duterte for his support for the senior high school program, which she acknowledged as one of his major contributions to education and to science and technology. 

“These developments in science help us keep our 27 million children in school so that they grow up as productive citizens,” Briones said.

The NSTW also celebrated and recognized individuals in the field who have shown exemplary undertakings in applied and basic research, and technology and commercialization.