Davao Region launches Brigada Eskwela
This 14-year-old program of the Department of Education (DepEd) that brings people together to prepare public school facilities for the opening of classes continues to strengthen the spirit of volunteerism among Filipinos. The weeklong Brigada Eskwela started on May 15 where community service and stakeholders’ participation were the highlights.
In Region XI, the kickoff ceremony of Brigada Eskwela (BE) was in Calinan National High School (CNHS). The caravan started at 7:00 am from DepEd Regional Office to its endpoint in CNHS. Regional Director Atty. Alberto T. Escobarte spearheaded the event together with some regional office employees.
Usec. for Finance Victoria M. Catibog and Blanquita Dolores Bautista, Chief of the Communications Division, also joined the launching of BE.
In his speech, Atty. Escobarte said Brigada Eskwela is a continuing reminder to all of us that the whole community has an essential role to play in the development of our learners.
“Strong community support is essential to address learning gaps, achieve higher learning outcomes and school improvement,” Atty. Escobarte added.
He also said that Region XI targets to match its performance last year with more than half million volunteers and about 200 million resources generated.
Aside from that, Atty. Escobarte also emphasized the desire of the region to increase the number of BE best implementing schools Hall of Fame awardees. Right now, Region XI has accumulated 12 Hall of Famers.
Usec. Catibog shared how Brigada Eskwela has gone a long way from its birth in 2003. After 14 years, BE has become a byword in recognition of its importance, she said mentioning Brigada Eskwela Plus as a product of BE.
In Brigada Eskwela Plus, she said, school maintenance activities are done throughout the year. There is a community-led effort to improve participation and performance, and reduce dropout or enrollment to Alternative Learning System.
There was also a signing of Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between Davao Region and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on the utilization of Starbooks, a Science digital library.
DOST Regional Director Dr. Anthony Sales said Starbooks encourages great and curious minds to develop new ideas and innovations.
The long week BE in Region XI was participated in by parents, students, community members, and some local officials.