The education of our youth is everybody’s concern. We, as educators, are tasked to provide free and quality education to every child and youth. Also, the communities where they grow, and the private sectors which will sooner or later employ them, are important stakeholders in their education. The successful collaboration of all these stakeholders is therefore essential in ensuring that our children and youth go to school, remain in school and learn in school.
It was with this spirit of volunteerism and public-private partnership for education, Brigada Eskwela was made. Private sector companies and professionals are given the chance to contribute in improving the public education system of the country.
As quoted by Education Secretary Armin Luistro, “The Brigada Eskwela is a school and maintenance program that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort and resources in ensuring that the public schools are set in time for the forthcoming school opening.” Brigada Eskwela brought together teachers, parents, community members and private sectors every month of May to work together in repairing and preparing public schools for school opening. In the spirit of bayanihan, private institutions/individuals and even the local government units contributed in producing resources for the effort. During the week-long event volunteers take time out in doing minor repairs, painting, and cleaning of school campuses.
Indeed, Brigada Eskwela is becoming DepEd’s replica of indisputable public and private partnership in action. As the Department ventures to solve the many and challenges facing Philippine education, Brigada Eskwela will serve as one of its cutting edge enterprise reminding each and every Filipino that we are al stakeholders in education.
By: Ms. Marina M. Barlis | Lamao National High School | Limay, Bataan
