Bayanihan spirit ushers new school year

THE Brigada Eskwela kicked off yesterday to signal the onset of school year 2013-2014.

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide volunteer effort which started in 2003, bringing together teachers, parents, and the community to do clean up and repairs in public schools to prepare the facilities for the June school opening.

Undertaken in all public schools every third week of May or two weeks before classes begin, it is participated in by private organizations, individuals, national and local government agencies, local businesses, and international organizations and foundations, among others.

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 said.

In 2012, the Brigada Eskwela in Central Visayas pooled about P74 million worth of resources.

Throughout the country, P1.5 billion-worth of resources-in-kind and man hours by over six-million volunteers in various parts of the country.   with excerpts from  The Official Gazette