Brazil has always been confronted by a serious problem brought about by the insufficient college education: the necessity of adopting foreign technology. Too often, methods and machinery are not suitable to Brazilian needs and possibilities.
A qualified number of researchers, engineers and other college graduates would undoubtedly help create a technology appropriate to our economic, social and even geographical conditions.
In recent years, one particular question has been a matter of great concern to Brazilian authorities , scholars and public opinion in general: the drought in the northeastern region. In this case, it stands to reason that the best course to follow is to develop a Brazilian technology, an aim which can not be reached without investing in highly qualified personnel.
On the other hand, as we consider the widespread illiteracy which still affects the Brazilian population , it seems that university education should not be placed above primary and secondary education. Another aspect which should be viewed with the utmost seriousness is the considerable number of children who drop out of school to enter the job market, especially in the rural communities. In the interior, as well as in the poor urban areas, the child´s contribution to the family budget is essential. Conditions must be created as to enable those children to reach an acceptable level of education.
Moreover, it is unquestionable that a coherent programme of education in the long run cannot be conceived of without the necessary infrastructure , which includes food, medical care, housing. This is perhaps the most profitable investment a country can make : to improve the health of its people. Otherwise, any educational policy will be probably be a failure.
Up to this day, it seems that no country has been able to achieve satisfactory levels of development without a programme aiming at the improvement of living conditions of the population as a whole. The health of people is the best way to assure an efficient working force, whether it be in agriculture, in industry or in other activities , which require a stronger intellectual effort.
Of course, the importance of higher education within the ensemble of activities of a country is beyond dispute. A university is responsible for the creation of an intellectual elite which offers a valuable contribution to solving countless problems which affect society .Nevertheless, the absolute statement that it represents the most profitable investment for economic development is too narrow an analytical point of view , for several other fields require the same –or more- attention on the part of government or private initiative.
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