ILOILO City – Brigada Eskwela, the annual cleanup, repair and renovation of schools in Western Visayas in preparation for the resumption of classes, starts today.
This weeklong activity (May 20 to 25) was launched Friday last week, May 17, in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Silay City’s Division of Schools volunteered to host the launching, according to Dr. Victor de Gracia Jr., officer-in-charge of the Department of Education (DepEd) in Western Visayas.
This campaign was established in 2003 to address the resources gaps faced by the agency through strengthened partnerships with the communities.
It mobilizes thousands of parents, school alumni, civic groups, local businesses, non-government organizations, teachers, students, and individuals.
“Brigada Eskwela is already an institution. This is a partnership with all stakeholders to prepare our schools,” said de Gracia.
Brigada Eskwela brings back the “bayanihan” spirit or volunteerism.
Classes in public elementary and high schools across the Philippines resume on June 3.
DepEd Region 6 expects 1,934,183 students to troop to various schools.
There is no shortage of teachers, De Gracia said, because DepEd did massive hiring last year.
This year’s Brigada Eskwela theme is “Matatag na Bayan Para sa Maunlad na Paaralan”.
Tonisito Umali, DepEd undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service, said, “In 2017 we expanded the concept of Brigada Eskwela. Aside from cleaning or beautify our schools, we also make sure they are safe and prepared in time of disasters.”
The campaign also focuses on encouraging out of school children and youth (OSCY) to go back to school and finish their studies.
“We wanted to decrease our dropout rates and make sure that all these partnerships will have positive impact on the learning outcomes of our children,” said Umali. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
