Brigada Eskwela starts on May 20

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will officially launch next week the annual Brigada Eskwela to ensure that schools are ready for the opening of classes on June 3.

Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, provincial schools division superintendent, said regional kickoff of the annual campaign will be held at Carnaza Elementary School in Daanbantayan, Cebu on Monday, May 20.

Brigada Eskwela, a maintenance week, aims to bring together all education stakeholders to participate and contribute their time, effort, and resources to prepare public school facilities for the opening of the school year in June.

People volunteer to help schools in minor repairs, beautification, electrical rewiring, or provide water, sanitation, hygiene kits, safety kits, learners, and teachers kits, among others.

Angtud has urged Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) and other stakeholders to participate in the Brigada Eskwela.

She also encouraged school heads to make the weeklong activity a venue to step up community contribution in the continuous and shared responsibility of providing quality basic education.

Angtud said the DepEd has already addressed last year’s problem on classroom shortage.

She said though the problem cannot be totally prevented with the increasing number of enrollees every year.

She said the increase in annual enrollment is pegged at two to five percent.

Last year, 700,000 students were enrolled all over the province. — KBQ (FREEMAN)