LAGAWE, IFUGAO – – The Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela project has a very special place in the hearts of teachers and students of Lagawe National High School-Extension (LNHSE) because this is where love for education deepened amidst the hard work and sacrifice of volunteers and other participants in sprucing up facilities of educational institutions as this one.
From May 28 to June 2, mentors and students of this highly-respected school are joining volunteers from barangay Cudog in upgrading classrooms and other learning-related facilities.
Upgrades include repainting of classrooms, repairing of doors and windows and cutting of grasses.
Volunteers from the ranks of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), non-government organizations (BGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and the barangay government are lending their free time in the activity to assist not only in repainting but also cleaning the classrooms. They genuinely offer their services for the good of the school.
Apart from classrooms, Brigada Eskwela participants focus their attention on giving “fresh images” of stages, gymnasiums, libraries, laboratories, canteens and gardens.
What’s more, they can look forward to interacting with a host of stakeholders in the education sector.
“It’s a most fulfilling experience to take part actively in this noteworthy activity in whatever way or capacity.” Jennifer Dulnuan told the ZigZag Weekly. She is the principal of LNHSE.
In an exclusive interview with the ZigZag Weekly, she said clean-up activity is a “great learning experience for all.”
“Let that motivate you to share your time, energy and resources in helping attain the objectives of the Brigada Eskwela,” she stressed.
Ms. Dulnuan is one of the most active principals in Ifugao. Her caring and compassionate attitude towards learners and educators are especially effective in inspiring and motivating many to cultivate and promote a culture of excellence inside the classroom.
Ms. Dulnuan has vigorously prepared the school’s faculty staff for this year’s all-important Brigada Eskwela project, one of the first principals to do so.
It is also important to note that the Brigada Eskwela project also builds the confidence of pupils and students in public elementary and high schools. Public schools are easily hampered by scarce resources in coping up with perennial problems of dilapidated and antiquated chairs and even blackboards. Plan to put up world-class learning facilities in remote villages in impoverished Ifugao and many other provinces in the Philippines is usually discombobulated by excuses of the officialdom that “funds are not available” for such a much-needed outlay. Thus, refurbished classrooms certainly are most helpful in creating a better environment conducive to learning.
Despite the glaring fact that the 1987 Philippine Constitution says that the biggest budgetary allocation has been earmarked for education, most education projects are underfunded. Classroom shortage is still prevalent. Classrooms are still cramped in rural areas. Inadequate functional classrooms are major worry in most parts of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Overworked teachers are underpaid.
Over the years, the Brigada Eskwela has been a flagship project of the government.
Highly-placed DepEd officials noted that interest in this project in the private sector increased significantly in recent times.
However, it remains to be seen if provincial government officials can be a major player in the project.
Private companies as well as generous and kind-hearted individuals in the private sector are largely bankrolling the conduct of Brigada Eskwela for quite some time. They donate paints, brushes, brooms, soaps and other gadgets for the activity. Some others are also extending food assistance to the participants. When they shell out cash or give biscuits, fruits and juices that is an act of kindness. And God blessed them all the more each second of the day.
So they set example to others. So that those who are not yet convinced of the vitality of the Brigada Eskwela may be moved to join next year’s activity because they will see the goodness of God in the people engaged in it.
Growth in public schools was also driven primarily by ample backing of the private sector. For instance, the DepEd received Php 28.8 billion in donations from it through its Adopt-A-School Program (ASP) from 2011 to 2015.
ASP is an initiative under Republic Act 8525 or the Adopt-A-School Act of 1998.
This year’s kick-off point in Ifugao is scheduled on May 25 at Damag Elementary School in Aguinaldo town.
The Brigada Eskwela is helpful in preparing the nation’s learning institutions for school opening next month.
LNHSE is one of the major learning institutions in Ifugao. It is not a densely populated school in this capital town with an enrolment of 170 students. It has six teachers. They are Sarah Ann Butic, Jenelyn Cutiyog, Nora Manangan, Rhene Ann Martin, Lorena Napeek and Grace Vicente.
A student described these mentors and the principal as the “nicest, friendliest and brightest educators around.”
Public secondary schools in underdeveloped provinces such as Ifugao play a key role in inspiring the young to finish their studies and consequently obtain college degrees as a means of freeing themselves from the pangs of poverty. On top of this, there is also an opportunity for the youth to transform themselves as productive members of society.
It is said, as “influenced by the Bayanihan (teamwork) style of doing things” the Brigada Eskwela is often described as truly fulfilling experience. Thankfully, it seems to gain the full and unflinching support of President Duterte, Education Secretary Leonor Briones and Ifugao DepEd division officials. And yes, this early, many are obviously excited to take part at the Brigada Eskwela’s 2018 edition of the Lagawe National High School Extension. **By Anthony A. Araos
