Communities unite to repair schools

CEBU, Philippines — The spirit of volunteerism comes alive in schools today as parents, teachers, students, and community stakeholders join forces for the annual “Brigada Eskwela.”

In Central Visayas, Department of Education-7 Director Julieta Jeruta will open the weeklong initiative in Bohol today.

Under the initiative, stakeholders contribute their manpower, technical, material, financial assistance and time to do maintenance and repair works in schools in preparation for the school opening on June 4.

“It is done to illustrate the principle of unity of purpose in making education accessible, of quality, relevant and liberating,” Jeruta told The FREEMAN in a text message.

She said the yearly community-based initiative also aims "to create a school learning environment conducive to teaching, safe haven for children and a general venue for making schooling fun and interesting.”

This year's theme is "Pagkakaisa Para sa Handa, Ligtas at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan."

In addition, the Brigada Eskwela also sees government officials come to school to assist barangay councils, for example, in laying down their plans and support for the education program of their respective schools, said Jeruta.

She said other concerned government agencies may also extend assistance like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health, among others.

Trainings of teachers are also done during the weeklong activity.

Schools may also be busy taking the height and weight of children to determine their physical preparedness, as well as for the conduct of parents meeting and community dialogue and many more activities.

"So by June 4 as first day of classes, everything is in order and regular class program starts," said Jeruta.

For Cebu City, the formal relaunching of Brigada Eskwela is set for tomorrow at Labangon Elementary School. This activity will carry on until June 2.

"We are inviting all stakeholders to join us by visiting our schools and extend help through their resources," said DepEd Cebu City schools division superintendent Bianito Dagatan.

He said people may help in minor repairs, beautification, electrical rewiring, or provide water, sanitation, hygiene kits, safety kits, learners, and teachers kits, among others.

He said in this event, the spirit of volunteerism is always being emphasized.

"Brigada Eskwela is DepEd's activity to institutionalize the adopt-a-school law. It encourages different sectors to help DepEd in providing wholesome learning environment," he said.

Warning vs Lead

Meanwhile, waste and pollution watch group EcoWaste Coalition is calling upon all school heads and teachers to exercise the utmost vigilance to ensure that banned lead-containing paints are not used to decorate classroom walls, windows, doors, desks and tables, and other school amenities during the Brigada Eskwela.

Thony Dizon, chemical safety campaigner of the coalition, said in a statement that it is likely that old stocks of lead-containing paints are still available in hardware stores and unknowingly sold to uninformed buyers.

Dizon reminded that lead-containing decorative paints that are typically used for homes, schools, day care centers, and playgrounds, as well as for toys and other children’s products, have been phased out effective December 31, 2016 in line with DENR’s Chemical Control Order for Lead and Lead Compounds.

The group reiterated the need for Brigada Eskwela participants to abide by Department Order No. 4, series of 2017, which requires the “mandatory use of lead-safe paints in schools.”

DepEd issued the order at the request of the EcoWaste to prevent and control children’s exposure to lead through the ingestion of lead-contaminated paint chip, dust and soil.

 Education Secretary Leonor Briones reinforced her earlier directive by issuing Department Order 64 in December 2017, which affirms the use of “independently certified lead-safe paints” as part of the minimum performance standards and specifications for DepEd school buildings. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/JMD (FREEMAN)