What we can learn from Brigada Eskwela

The Brigada Eskwela is proof that an effective partnership between the government and citizens is
possible

Lilio T. Carreon Jr.

Published 5:25 PM, May 30, 2015

Updated 5:25 PM, May 30, 2015

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CLEAN UP. Students and community members in action. All photos by Makati High School Supreme
Student Government

CLEAN UP. Students and community members in action. All photos by Makati High School Supreme
Student Government

Every Filipino deserves to have an education.

The country's forefathers who penned the 1987 Constitution strongly understood this fundamental
need that they wrote Article II Section 17 on the pages of the highest law of the land clear proof of the
Filipino peoples belief that education is indispensable to the growth of a nation.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is married to the burden of fulfilling this commitment.
Throughout the years, it has devised countless ways to deliver quality education to every Filipino.

"The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and
development."
- Article II Section 17, 1987 Constitution

But like any other government agency with flaws and shortcomings, the DepEd is not always met with
favorable feedback. Most common among the issues thrown at them is the seeming lack of priority for
education in the country, as reflected in the deficiency of resources for public schools.

Year after year, we hear news about the shortage of classrooms, overcrowded classes, and schools being
not ready for the upcoming school year.

DepEd addressed this issue through the Adopt-a-School Program (ASP) in 1998. This initiative allowed a
partnership with other stakeholders who are willing to share resources to improve the country's public
school education. In a few years, the spirit of volunteerism reached 200 partners and generated P6
billion worth of programs and interventions.

In order to reach even more people, DepEd brought the program to the communities in 2003 through
Brigada Eskwela (School Brigade).

A brand new outlook

Brigada Eskwela, also known as the Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan (Working Together for Schools)", added
a new meaning to the Filipino concept of unity. From the image of barrio men bearing together the
weight of a bahay kubo (nipa hut) on their shoulders to the image of volunteers braving storms and
floods to help calamity-stricken communities, Brigada Eskwela brings to us a picture of people from
different sectors of society repainting walls and blackboards, cleaning windows and doors, or repairing
fences.

One of the public school students who grew up in the culture of Brigada Eskwela is Russell de Guzman, a
student leader at Makati High School. Since he was in elementary, he has been taking part in this
activity.
When I was in elementary, I would do it because it was a requirement for officers, and I had nothing to
do during the summer vacation, he shared. But as I kept on doing it every year, I realized it was also
my responsibility to help.

De Guzman explained that it was a challenge for both public school teachers and students to put up with
blackboards that have become too rough to write on, chairs with broken armrests or uneven legs, and
electric fans that do not work. It can really make you lose focus on the lesson sometimes.

He knew there is a need to alleviate these challenges, and understood that as a student, he has a part to
play. By being a volunteer in Brigada Eskwela, he saw that no effort is too small to make a difference.

Russell de Guzman does his own share of the tasks

Russell de Guzman does his own share of the tasks

As its name suggests, Brigada Eskwela assembles an army of volunteers to repair and prepare
classrooms in time for the opening of classes. This year, it ran from May 18 to 23 under the theme "Tayo
para sa Kalinisan, Kaligtasan, at Kahandaan ng Ating mga Paaralan (Stand for the Cleanliness, Safety, and
Preparedness of our Schools)."

The success of its implementation lies in the collaborative effort of school heads, private partners, local
government units, and the community members, including parents and students.

Through the initiative of the school heads, private partners are given the opportunity to contribute
resources for the effort. And in honor of their goodwill, private partners are offered tax incentives of up
to 150%. Local government units and community members mostly provide manpower and volunteer
services during this week-long activity.

Partners from private companies not only donate cash and resources to the cause. Some of them also
send their employees to schools to help. Representatives from religious groups and members of local
government units (LGU) such as policemen, firefighters, and bantay

bayan also take part in putting up new donated blackboards, painting school fences, and mounting
bulletin boards. Parents, teachers, and students from different school organizations also offer their help.
Everyone works from 8 am to 5 pm with very little supervision from the officers of the student
government. We all follow the schedule prescribed since day one, De Guzman explained.

Throughout the years, the spirit of volunteerism in Brigada Eskwela has reached more people in the
communities. In 2007 alone, it has generated more than P2.5 billion worth of support-in-kind and
countless volunteer man-hours.

More and more people from different sectors of the society extend help to our school every year, De
Guzman affirmed.

Repairs and replacements

Every summer for 12 years now, Brigada Eskwela has been transforming public schools into a venue
where people from the community get the chance to be directly involved in an endeavor with the
government.

Members of the Philippine National Police repaint the basketball court

Members of the Philippine National Police repaint the basketball court

People from surrounding barangays who spare their time to volunteer or donate money and resources
get the rare opportunity of collaborating with teachers and the members of the LGUs. Seeing them work
together paint a picture of shared goals and responsibilities between the school and the community it
serves.

De Guzman shared that Brigada Eskwela made him realize that while the government has a duty to its
citizens, the citizens also have a duty to the government. The government cannot do everything for us.
We have to do what we can to help each other, too.

Critics of the program often say that local governments should be the one to fund the maintenance of
public schools, and schools should not have to generate resources from private companies or
individuals.
In fact, during their solicitations around the community, De Guzmans group received mixed reactions.
Some questioned the need to raise funds for a project that should be funded by the government, while
others willingly donated money or materials upon learning of Brigada Eskwela's purpose.

The highest donation from a single individual was P1,000. The lowest was 25 centavos. We see any
amount as a big help, De Guzman said.

The DepEd explains that one of Brigada Eskwela's goals is to foster understanding among all sectors of
society that the education of the Filipino people is the responsibility of everyone.

The government which provides free education for the Filipino youth, the community where they grow,
and the private sector who will eventually employ them are all stakeholders of education. Their
cooperation is significant to the success of every students education.

Students in action at Brigada Eskwela

Students in action at Brigada Eskwela

Not many of us realize our role as partners of the government in creating positive change in society.
More often than not, we are quick to point out the diseases of our country, yet we only wait for the
government to act on them. We either fail to recognize the opportunities we have to contribute to the
cure of these diseases, or we turn a blind eye on them because taking part involves change that may
inconvenience us.

De Guzman shared that even some of his schoolmates do not fully understand the program, and
complain that they only go to school to study, not to make repairs or clean the campus. If they will take
part in the activity, they will realize a lot of things that will change their outlook.

Brigada Eskwela also forces us to evaluate our willingness as members of the community to serve when
we are called for. With the opportunity it provides us to be a part of the solution to the challenges of
the education system in the country we realize how we see ourselves and our duty to the community
and the country in general.
It allows us to understand that, if we are willing, we can become a part of the change we want to see.

Improved perspectives

Brigada Eskwela was borne out of the need to address the challenges of public school education in the
Philippines. It started with the simple mission of cleaning up and beautifying public schools to prepare
for the opening of classes. But by allowing everyone to contribute, big or small, to this worthy endeavor,
it has also opened multiple doors for learning and reflection.

From the outside, Brigada Eskwela might only count as one of DepEds mandates for public schools, a
project that generates funds to beautify the campus. But scratching the surface will reveal an effective
model of public-private partnership that creates ripples of impact among the different sectors of society
by revolutionizing the Filipino trait of bayanihan.

It shows that volunteerism is still abundant in our country, and that there are a lot of people who are
willing to cooperate with the governments worthwhile endeavors if given the chance.

Members of the Makati High School Supreme Student Government flash their pearly whites after the
successful week-long event

Members of the Makati High School Supreme Student Government flash their pearly whites after the
successful week-long event

The positive changes that it creates both on the physical appearance of the schools and the outlook of
the people that take part in it are sources of great pride for the DepEd family. The Brigada is proof that
an effective partnership between the government and citizens is possible.

The whole experience influenced De Guzman as a student leader. He shared that despite the exhausting
door-to-door solicitation that he and fellow leaders had to do, they never questioned the value of what
they were doing. Despite collecting only a considerable amount of donations each day, they always
chose to spend their own money for lunch or snacks.
As they went through the process, they allowed it to mold them into young leaders with integrity. "It
was a very tiring experience, but its fruits are fulfilling," he said. Rappler.com

Lilio Tuares Carreon Jr. writes essays and poems when he is not in the classroom teaching English or
coaching debate. Currently, he is serving the students of Makati High School.

DepEd gears up for class opening with Brigada Eskwela 2017

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Published May 9, 2017, 9:07 AM

The Department of Education (DepEd) is gearing toward an orderly and safe opening of classes by
making schools environmentally sustainable and conducive to learning through its Brigada Eskwela
2017.

Brigada Eskwela | credit PNA | Manila Bulletin

Brigada Eskwela | credit PNA | Manila Bulletin

All education stakeholders will participate and contribute their time, effort, and resources during the
National Schools Maintenance Week to make public school facilities ready for learners use in June.
Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones and other DepEd officials will lead the Brigada Eskwela
National Kick-off Program and Caravan on May 15 in Cebu City.

With the theme Isang DepEd, Isang Pamayanan, Isang Bayanihan para sa Handa at Ligtas na Paaralan,
Brigada Eskwela consists of activities that truly exhibit the spirit of shared community responsibility in
providing quality basic education for all Filipino learners.

The week-long event includes a launch caravan in Regional Offices (ROs) and Schools Division Offices
(SDOs) and a kick-off ceremony in a public school offering Senior High School (SHS), which will serve as
the final stop of the caravan.
The regional Brigada launch will be as follows:

MAY 12

Region 2 Raniag Elementary School, Isabela

Region 4B Mogpog Covered Court, Mogpog, Marinduque

Region 8 Gala Vocational School, Gamay, Northern Samar

Region 12 Tboli Senior High School, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato

MAY 13

NIR Dumaguete City National High School, Dumaguete City

MAY 14

Region 9 Torno National High School, Dipolog City

MAY 15

Region 1 Alaminos National High School, Pangasinan

Region 3 Prenza National High School, Bulacan

Region 4A Jose Rizal Memorial School, Calamba, Laguna

Region 5 Virac Central Elementary School, Catanduanes

Region 6 Cabatuan National High School, Iloilo

Region 7 Cebu City (National Kick-off)

Region 10 Mulogan National High School, El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental

Region 11 Marilog National High School, Davao City

Caraga Buenavista National High School, Agusan Del Norte

NCR Kapitbahayan Elementary School, Navotas City

ARMM Broce Central Elementary School, Maguindanao

MAY 19

CAR Guinzadan National High School, Bauko, Mountain Province

All Regional Directors and Schools Division Superintendents will mobilize their Adopt-a-School
Program/Brigada Eskwela Coordinators to ensure the successful six-day implementation of Brigada
Eskwela in all public elementary and secondary schools, and to ensure the involvement of the
community and local stakeholders.

School heads will take the lead in planning the said activities, which include tree planting and vegetable
gardening to promote the clean and green campaign of the government. Furthermore, school heads are
encouraged to make the Brigada Eskwela program not just a tool to improve school facilities but to step
up community contribution in the continuous and shared responsibility of providing quality basic
education.

Tags: 2017, Brigada