Some 900 public elementary and high schools in Palawan kicked off Brigada Eskewela Monday to prepare for next month’s school season.
The National Schools Maintenance Week (NSMW), famously known as Brigada Eskwela, mobilizes parents, school administrators, and various organizations to volunteer time and effort to do repairs and clean-up.
Grace Estefano, Information Officer of the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Palawan, said that the annual school cleanup drive aims to regain the “bayanihan” culture of Filipinos.
“Ang gusto natin sa Brigada Eskwela is to regain the bayanihan, a culture of the Filipino people na nawawala na,” Estefano said.
The provincial schools division conducted its kick-off activity in San Vicente National High School (SVNHS) while the city division had its own at the Puerto Princesa City Pilot Elementary School (PPCPES).
Estefano said that they kick-off the event every year to highlight the needs of public schools across the province.
“Para naman makita, ma-highlight ‘yong mga school needs sa iba’t- ibang munisipyo. Taun-taon pumipili tayo ng lugar kung saan pu-puwede, una para makita naman ng mga stakeholders natin kung ano ang kakulangan ng public schools sa isang lugar,” Estefano pointed out.
The activity will also help students focus on their studies when classes open on June 3 instead of engaging first in cleaning and repairing activities.
