The Department of Education is set to launch the nationwide Brigada Eskwela campaign today, Monday, in preparation for the opening of schoolyear 2023-2024 on August 29.
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte will kick off the program in simple rites at the Tarlac National High School in Tarlac province.
Last year, the Imus Pilot Elementary School in Imus, Cavite hosted the launching of the program.
The Brigada Eskwela does not accept cash donations. What it solicits are cleaning and repair materials, other non-cash assistance, and community volunteers who paint classrooms, repair chairs and tables, leaking roofs and faucets, cement walkways, and spruce up the garden and surroundings in preparation for the opening of classes.
The program was launched in 2003 as part of the DepEd’s Adopt-A-School program.
During its first year of implementation, the participation rate was only at a dismal 31 percent but the participation rate of schools rose to 100 percent since it was made an institutional event in 2008.
Early this year, Duterte issued an order which said the department would stop recognizing the best Brigada Eskwela implementers of the public school maintenance program starting this year after some issues and concerns were raised over its conduct.
Although DepEd did not specify the issues and concerns, some public school teachers have said the competition for the award forced them to solicit and even use their own money to fund the improvement of their schools.
Aside from the award for best implementer, the department previously gave special awards such as Best School Community Home Partnership, Most Prepared School, Best Brigada Eskwela Collaboration, and Best Home Learning Spaces.
Instead of the award, the DepEd said all participating public schools would receive a certificate of recognition for their participation in the campaign.
