ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--The program that brings education stakeholders and partners together to prepare public school facilities for the opening of classes continues to strengthen the spirit of Bayanihan among Filipinos.

With the theme "Bayanihan sa Paaralan," this year's Brigada Eskwela program emphasizes efforts on strengthening the engagement of education stakeholders and partners to ensure continuity of learning amidst the pandemic.

"In this year's Brigada Eskwela, we have adopted the slogan "Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan" as our theme to call for our collective efforts in promoting collaboration for safe living and addressing social issues and concerns in schools, at home, and in the community," said Department of Education (DepEd) Region X Director Arturo Bayocot during the virtual kick-off of the program.

Bayocot said they have strategized their activities for the 2021 Brigada Eskwela to signify the unfailing commitment and undivided unity of all education stakeholders to support the most relevant, essential, and actual needs of learners.

Although others may see the Brigada Eskwela as irrelevant in this time of pandemic since there are no face-to-face classes and less engagement in schools, Bayocot stressed that the program is still a timely and relevant activity that they can pursue and maximize while the learners are not in schools. 

"This only means that by the time our Covid-19 situation will have been lifted to allow our face-to-face engagements, our schools will then be ready for a fresh start," he further said.

The regional director also emphasized that while the Brigada Eskwela may focus on preparing the physical requirements and school readiness, it should be checked against holistic readiness by harmonizing it with the K to 12 curriculum review and update, teachers upscaling and rescaling, and engagement of stakeholders for support and collaboration. 

Meanwhile, Provincial Governor Imelda "Angging" Quibranza-Dimaporo who joined the virtual kick-off conveyed her support to the program.

"We have instituted the Brigada Eskwela as a venue for all of us to work together amidst these challenging times. We organized this yearly event to synchronize our efforts and pull resources for the improvement of our educational facilities.  With this year's slogan, we recognize the importance of community participation especially during this time of adversity," she said.

Dimaporo also called on all education stakeholders to remain steadfast as they anticipate the challenging school year ahead. (APB/PIA-ICIC)