Guided with the mission and vision to achieve quality and excellence in education, DepED subscribed to the fact that the education of the youth is everybody’s concern. It is true that the government is mandated by the constitution to provide free and quality education but the community and the private sector also play a vital role as major stakeholders of the educational system to sure that every Filipino youth goes to school, remains in school and learns in school.

            Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week   is a brainchild of the Department of Education (DepED), with its legal basis, Republic Act 8525 or the “Adopt-a-School Act”  to encourage all the stakeholders of education to act in synergy in preparing all schools two to three weeks before the opening of classes. Participation of volunteer partners and donors in this week long activity of doing minor repairs, painting, and cleaning the school campus showcase the spirit of Filipino volunteerism called bayanihan.

            Through the Adopt-a-School Program (ASP), the private sector, companies, professionals, and local businessmen are given the chance to contribute in the improvement of education.

            By virtue of DepEd Order Number 54, series of 2008   , Brigada Eskwela was institutionalized.  Participation of all public elementary and secondary schools in this week long activity becomes a mandatory not like during its initial years of  implementation, it was voluntary  for schools to join.  Department of  Education reported a significant amount was donated to education through material donations and volunteer labor services rendered. It is a policy of this program not to accept donations in cash.

            Department of Education also recognizes schools and administrators who actively participate and promote Brigada Eskwela in their locality. Each schools division (i.e. Division of Bataan) selects the best implementers of  the elementary and secondary schools in three categories: small school, big school and school at large. Winners in the provincial and city schools division will be the nominees in the regional selection of best implementers. 

            Education is everybody’s concern because it really takes a community to educate a child.

By: Loida Biado-Rodriguez | Teacher II | Limay National High School | Limay, Bataan