Join Brigada Eskwela, DepEd urges public

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education (DepEd) urged the public yesterday  to take part next month in the Brigada Eskwela, an annual activity that encourages individuals and private firms to spruce up public classrooms before the school opening in June.

DepEd has scheduled the Brigada Eskwela from May 19 to 24.

Started in 2003, Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide voluntary effort bringing together teachers, parents and the community to clean up and repair public schools to prepare the facilities for the school opening.

Undertaken in all public schools every third week of May or two weeks before classes begin, participants include private organizations, individuals, national and local government agencies, local businesses, and international organizations and foundations.

Volunteers paint classrooms, repair furniture, and clean up the school grounds.

Materials and supplies are usually donated by the parents or by private businesses and foundations.

Luistro pointed out that Brigada Eskwela encourages the public to share their time, strength and resources in kind. “We do not accept cash,” he emphasized.

The start of classes in public elementary and secondary schools will be on June 2.

The academic year 2014-2015 will have 201 school days, 180 of which are non-negotiable teacher-student contact time, DepEd said.

DepEd maintains the June-March academic calendar for school year 2014-2015 despite the shift in school opening of some universities.