DepEd's Brigada Eskwela to start today

Starting today, parents, local civic organizations, church groups, barangay councils and concerned individuals - collectively called Brigada Eskwela - will troop to public elementary and secondary schools in the region to paint roofs, fix water pipes, repair doors and windows and make minor repairs to prepare school buildings for the opening of classes next month.

Several organizations and groups have already signed up for Brigada Eskwela, which highlights the Department of Education's National Schools Maintenance Week.

Through Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education hopes to strengthen the local community's participation in public education and get the community to help prepare school buildings for the opening of classes.

"There is a need for maintenance and repairs in our schools so that the next set of students for the incoming year can use it. That they may have a conducive space for learning," DepEd Officer in Charge Fe Hidalgo said.

Cebu City Schools Superintendent Leonilo Oliva said that DepEd is not spending any amount in the said brigade as these are just purely contributions from volunteers.

Under the program, teachers and parents would join hands to repair school equipment and facilities.

In the past years, the brigade helped build waiting sheds inside campuses, gardens, and painted classrooms, among others.

Oliva urged parents with children enrolled in any public elementary or high schools to join the brigade.

"We should help our schools because our children will be the ones who will use it. Helping our schools is just like helping our children for we are giving them a comfortable and conducive space for learning through this program," he said. - Jasmin R. Uy