Portal:Philippines/Selected biography

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Brother Andrew Benjamin Gonzalez FSC (February 29, 1940 - January 29, 2006) was a linguist, writer, educator, and Lasallian Brother. He served as president of De La Salle University from from 1979 to 1991 and from 1994 to 1998. From 1998 to 2001 he served as Secretary of the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. After his term ended, he returned to De La Salle University as Vice President for Academics and Research from 2001 to 2003 and as Presidential Adviser for Academics and Research from 2003 to 2005. Br. Andrew conceptualized the De La Salle University System and helped expand the range of Lasallian education in the Philippines.

As Education Secretary, he initiated the revision of the Basic Education Curriculum and placed a corruption-free procurement system which significantly reduced the costs of textbooks and supplies purchased by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports. He intiated the changing of language of instruction to the lingua franca for the first three grades.