Being the national awardee as the 2018 Best Implementing School of Brigada Eskwela, Alfonso Central School in Alfonso, Cavite hosted the official launching of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela 2019 with the theme Matatag na Bayan para sa Maunlad na Paaralan, which was held on May 16, 2019.
The said kick-off and caravan for the National Schools Maintenance Week was participated in by DepEd key officials from the Central, Regional, and Division offices, and stakeholders both from the national government agencies and private sectors to exhibit their support and engagement in the said purpose.
Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq. elaborated Brigada Eskwela being not just a week-long activity but a lifetime advocacy in ensuring the sustenance of program implementation. He underscored that more than just cleaning, Brigada Eskwela is also about showcasing various talents, and bringing back out-of-school students to classrooms. He emphasized during his speech that there has always been an upward trend in the participation of different stakeholders in every Brigada Eskwela being conducted, which illustrates and enhances the public-private partnership in fulfilling its vision and mission.
“We must try to digest and internalize it (Brigada Eskwela) to ourselves… Kick-off, kakaibang panimula. Ganitong uri ng paninimula. Dapat ang paaralan ay isang lugar na kaaya-aya para sa pagtuturo at pag-aaral ng mga bata.” As read by Undersecretary for Finance Service and Education Programs Delivery, Annalyn M. Sevilla, DepEd’s Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones mentioned that “Quality education is a top priority… Brigada Eskwela brings out the best in Filipino… There has never been no support because after all, education is a national responsibility.”
The Education chief highlighted the increased community involvement and strengthened partnerships as seen evidently in the previously conducted Brigada Eskwelas. From 11 million volunteers in 2017 to 22 million in 2018, the significant shoot up on volunteerism continually sets the bar higher on the spirit of bayanihan among Filipinos, especially in ensuring a clean, safe, and conducive learning environment not only during the opening of classes, but in the entire school year. “It is already an integral part in nurturing lifelong learning, values and competencies meaningfully in the nation,” the Secretary added.
Later in the afternoon, DepEd officials along with the stakeholders and volunteers, trouped in Alfonso Central Elementary School, wherein a short program was devoted to honor partners from various organizations who have always been committed and supportive of DepEd’s advocacies. Some of the donated items and services were cleaning materials, school materials, onsite medical services, among others. The recipients of the said sponsorship were three schools namely: Alfonso Central Elementary School, Pansin Elementary School, and Kaysuyo National High School.
Indeed, with the spirit of bayanihan in the community, DepEd, Local Government Units, Non-government Organizations and other stakeholders, realizing our goals is just within our reach.
“Mula ngayon, sa araw-araw, sama-samang abutin ang mga bagay na ‘di kayang abutin sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa komunidad. ‘Wag magsawang mangarap para sa ating mga anak,” Usec. Umali remarked.
