MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) will launch the “Brigada Eskwela” in Cavite on May 16.
DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali announced Thursday that the national kick-off will be held at Alfonso Central School in Alfonso, Cavite.
Umali said the actual “Brigada Eskwela” in all DepEd schools will happen from May 20 to May 25.
The actual date of the Brigada is May 20 to 25. Our theme this year is ‘Matatag na Bayan Para sa Maunlad na Paaralan,’” Umali said in Filipino in a press conference.
“Brigada Eskwela” is the National Schools Maintenance Week devoted to preparing school facilities for the opening of the school year, which, in 2019 to 2020, will start on June 3.
READ: Classes in public elementary, high schools begin on June 3 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1115496/classes-in-public-elementary-high-schools-begin-on-june-3
“Brigada Eskwela ito po ‘yung taunang activity na atin pong ginagawa bago po magpasukan para po maihanda ang ating mga paaralan maglinis, do some minor repairs, pipinturahan, babarnisin, iisisin po ang ating mga upuan para po sa unang araw ng pasukan, maayos at mapayapa ang ating mga mag-aaral,” Umali said.
(Brigada Eskwela is our yearly activity before the school year to prepare our schools, do some minor repairs. If you think that our chairs and facilities are in good condition.)
This year’s “Brigada Eskwela,” as Umali pointed out, will also focus on the preparedness of schools in times of disaster.
“Ang kaibahan po ng Brigada sa panahon po ng ating kalihim Liling Briones ay may kakaibang pagtutok po to prepare our schools (The difference of Brigada under the administration of Secretary Liling Briones is the focus on making sure that our schools are safe), make sure that they are safe. We also talked about our schools’ preparedness in times of disaster,” Umali said.
He added they will also ensure that the schools have a complete list of directory of emergency contact numbers and that they have fire extinguishers. They will also ensure that the wiring is good.
Umali reminded school heads that no fee shall be solicited from those who want to volunteer and that they are not allowed to receive any form of cash donations from candidates in the upcoming elections.
“We cannot receive contributions or donations from official candidates who have filed their certificate of candidacies for the local and national election,” Umali said. “Only donations in kind will be accepted, no cash donations.” /ee