What a good way to start a week! I was invited this morning to grace the Brigada Eskwela 2012 at Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco. It is also known as National Schools Maintenance Week which gathers the whole community to do repairs, maintenance and clean-up of schools prior to the opening of classes. It hopes to
(1) Make the school ready for the students and teachers
(2) Engage the participation of community stakeholders in education and
(3) revive the bayanihan spirit.
Its been my 3rd year to participate to Brigada Eskwela. Being a part of the corporate’s initiative through Project Better World, It is really nice to see everyone in the community helping public schools before classes starts this June. This year’s Brigada Eskwela will be marked by two firsts. It will specifically focus on school sanitation and in improving the schools of indigenous communities. 2012 Brigada Eskwela will run from May 21 to 26, 2012.
One of the major thrusts is the improvement of toilets and wash facilities – to give emphasis on the importance of school sanitation and hygiene. DepEd also enjoins the Brigada Eskwela participants to prioritize repair and clean-up of schools serving IP learners.
It does not Accept Cash Donations. Yes, Brigada Eskwela is DepEd’s model of public-private-community partnership. What it solicits are cleaning / repair materials, other non-cash assistance and community volunteers who paint the classroom, repairs chairs and tables, leaking roofs and faucets, as well as cement walkways and spruce up the garden and surroundings.
Brigada Eskwela is perhaps the most successful brand of community mobilisation in the Department of Education’s arsenal. The program’s name is easily identified as the national school maintenance and repair program. The program on its own generates billions of pesos in volunteer and community contributions in addition to its mother volunteering and school adoption program Adopt a School. Brigada Eskwela also offers a more direct means of intervention through volunteerism and a mechanism for quick, efficient, and effective information dissemination of information to share best practices. Brigada Eskwela focuses on four major components to achieve this goal. The first component is community mobilisation, that is, through various activities, promotes empowered community involvement not only in school maintenance but education programs as well. Second component is school and community interventions programs that are geared to transform the school and community into a conducive learning environment. The third component is communications and social marketing to rally the cause through creative means. Finally, Operations support to participating schools in order to ensure effective implementation of local initiatives.
Participants
School communities are not the only entities that can engage in volunteerism. Private organizations, individuals, local and foreign government entities, international organizations, foundations and other entities could volunteer for Brigada Eskwela.
Volunter work
Interested parties in hands on volunteering can do a multitude of things for the school. Volunteer work most necessary includes but is not limited to aesthetic endeavors such as painting and maintenance or repair or roofs, comfort rooms and sanitation facilities, electrical wiring and appliances, furniture, doors and signage.
Resources
Brigada Eskwela follows a NO CASH policy and construction materials such as paint, tools, cement, lumber, tiles, and cleaning aids are very much appreciated.
Results
100% participation of over 45,000 schools nationwide
Has generated over P10 billion in savings in man-hour services and donations in kind.
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