CEBU

Run for a cause opens CSTHS Brigada Eskwela

CHARITY RUN. Participants in the Compostela Science and Technology High School run brace for
the gun start that signals the beginning of the run. (Contributed photo)

June 4, 2018
THE Compostela Science and Technology High School (CSTHS) in Compostela, Cebu recently held
its first-ever run for a cause as a kick-off activity for the school’s observance of this year’s Brigada
Eskwela.

The activity was aimed at educating the public on the purposes of Brigada Eskwela as well as to
invite more stakeholders to take part in realizing the school’s various needs in preparation for the
coming school year.

The run for a cause was made possible with the participation of some private companies, local
government units and agencies, members of the Philippine National Police in Compostela, philanthropic
individuals, Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and students.

Among the major sponsors were Union Galvasteel Corp., Norkis Group of Companies, Smart
Padala, CEMIMPCO, Green Rose Center for Academe, and Author Solutions and Philippines.

School principal Ma. Teresa P. Selanoba, together with PTA representative Marivic Suello,
presented the school’s priority projects that included general electrical refurbishment, installation of
additional water connections, repair of school buildings, and general cleaning and beautification.

Selanoba said all proceeds of the charity run and donations to the Brigada Eskwela will be used
for these projects. (Contributed by Rhea B. Caraballe, CSTHS teacher)

BRIGADA Eskwela 2018, which is geared toward an orderly and safe opening of classes by
making schools environmentally-sustainable and conducive to learning, is set on May 28 to June 2.

With the theme "Pagkakaisa Para sa Handa, Ligtas at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang
Kinabukasan," Brigada Eskwela consists of activities that truly exhibit the spirit of a shared community
responsibility in providing quality basic education for all Filipino learners, Department of Education-
Davao spokesperson Jenielito Atillo said.

He said the National Schools Maintenance Week aims to bring together education stakeholders
to participate and contribute their time, effort and resources to prepare public school facilities for the
opening of the school year.

In a Deped memorandum, the week-long activity includes a launch caravan in regional offices
(RO) and schools division offices (SDOs) and a kick-off ceremony in a public school, which will serve as
the final stop of the caravan.

All the regional directors and schools division superintendents will mobilize their Adopt-a-School
Program/Brigada Eskwela coordinators to ensure the successful six-day implementation of the activity in
all public elementary and secondary schools and to ensure the involvement of the community and local
stakeholders.
 School heads will take the lead in planning the activities, which include tree planting and
vegetable gardening to promote clean and green campaign of the government.

School heads are thus encouraged to make the Brigada Eskwela program not just a tool to
improve school facilities but to step up community contribution in the continuous and shared
responsibility of providing quality basic education.

Also, school heads shall take the lead role in planning the activities geared on making schools
ecologically conscious, resilient, clean, and conducive to learning.

Individuals/groups from national government agencies, local government units (LGUs), private
sector, international organizations and other parties, who or which are interested to help the schools
and volunteers, may coordinate with the External Partnerships Service (EPS) of the DepEd Central Office,
Education Support Services Division in the regional offices, Social Mobilization and Networking Section
under the Schools Governance and Operations Division in the SDOs and/or the school principal of the
beneficiary school, for guidance.

All Deped employees are encouraged to join the Brigada Eskwela activities by offering their
skills, sharing their time or providing their assistance in-kind and support to public schools near their
residence. Interested employees are given two days to do volunteer work on official time, provided that
such work is approved by their heads of offices.

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