Brigada Eskwela in the Philippines

CONSCIOUS of the perennial problems hounding the country's educational system, authorities now look on a different angle and urges benevolent citizens to be part of the solution.

 

With apparent government backlog in providing education facilities, Department of Education (DepEd) taps concerned companies, organizations and citizens to pitch in and join Brigada Eskwela Plus.

 

According to the DepEd, there is a need for 39 new 2 classroom school buildings for the secondary and 62 2-classroom buildings for the elementary this year as enrollment increase is estimated at 5%.

 

The situation is also being complicated by the fact that the government's education for all campaign is set to seek all school-age kids and pull them back to schools. 

 

Over the pressing need for action, the call was echoed during the weekly Kapihan sa PIA as City schools division office through Dr. Erlinda Mahinay as the topic on Brigada Eskwela was raised.

 

Brigada Eskwela is a nationwide voluntary activity implemented by the DepEd and its external education stakeholders to prepare the schools for the opening of classes.

 

And just as old schools need to be refitted to make them lend a conducive environment to learning, clean ups, repairs, maintenance and other rehabilitation activities are needed.

 

And just as the government is hard up on funds, the authorities have said they could use a little help.

 

"We urge our communities to come out and help in any way they can, be it though free labor or materials needed for the repairs and rehabilitation or repainting jobs," Dr. Mahinay resounded.

 

Or to those who have better economic conditions, we are now urging companies and groups for the "adopt a school" program of the Oplan Balik Eskwela, she said.   

 

By adopting a school, organizations and companies can earn tax credits and at the same time help upgrade schools, she claimed. 

 

The Brigada Eskwela of Oplan Balik Eskwela has been implemented to stop the old practice of students and pupils using the beginning days of the school year to clean up the school premises, Dr. Mahinay explained. 

Philippine Schools Prepare for Opening of Classes

Calls for participation in preparing the public schools for the opening of classes resound here as the Brigada Eskwela starts May 24, 2010.

 

Schools Division Superintendent Norma Varquez says through the Brigada, the Department of Education (DepEd) engages the support of the parents and communities to make the schools ready for the opening of classes.

It would also stress that education is not just a responsibility of the teachers but also of the multi-stakeholders in the community as well, she pointed out during a radio interview.

 

The activity widely understood as a voluntary clean-up and maintenance of public schools to get the entire school ready for classes.

 

This time, communities and education stakeholders can show in a week-long activity its voluntary support to show its concern of education.

 

In a Dep-ed memorandum, Brigada Eskwela is "a week-long school maintenance activities participated by parents, communities and education stakeholders every month of May.

 

The activity also involves giving free labor and materials for the upkeep and maintenance of schools, which has been generally the main hub of voters during the recent elections.

 

The past political exercise did not spare the schools from garbage and posters despite relentless appeals from the Dep-ed to spare the schools from politics.

 

Superintendent Varquez however added that while free labor and donations in kind as materials fro repair are appreciated, the Brigada discourages cash donations. 

Cebu Pacific Flight to Japan and Korea

CEB, the only low-cost carrier to fly to the major North Asian countries offers seat sale fare for as low as P1,999 from now until May 23, 2010 for travel August 1 to October 30, 2010.

P1,999 'Go Lite' seats are up for grabs for flights from Manila to Incheon, Cebu to Incheon and Pusan. Those going from Manila to Osaka can avail of P2,999 seats.  These fares are 50% less than the lowest possible year-round fares for Japan and Korea.

For those traveling out of Clark, P1,499 'Go Lite' seats are also offered on flights going to Bangkok, Macau, Hong Kong and Singapore. Clark-Cebu flights are also on sale with a 'Go Lite' seat sale of P499. Travel period is from July 1 to September 30, 2010.

Take this opportunity to explore our neighboring countries especially since there are a lot of activities in store for the budget traveler during the summer and fall seasons in Japan and Korea.

CEB now accepts web bookings up to four (4) hours before your scheduled time of departure. Hurry, grab your seats