THE recently concluded National Schools Maintenance Week or Brigada Eskwela has once again proven our society's strong support for our young kids, highlighting the importance of classrooms fitted for conducive and participative learning.
From stakeholders to parents, students to government units, private sectors to socio-civic organizations, we were hand in hand in taking part of this national endeavor: Provide first class education with third world resources.
As to my circle, the Premier Leo Club of Bacolod, the youth arm of the well reputed Sampaguita Lions Club, pulled off a good amount of financial, manpower and donations in kind to help our adopted school at Baranggay Mansilingan in Bacolod City. We took time in transforming the old canteen into a more attractive place.
In Paglaum Village Elementary School, Brigada Eskwela's 1st runner-up in the regional level last year, our visit proved to be full of hope. The aching muscles and the hot morning weather brought by the brigada work were gone instantly after seeing older students covering books for other students. You can see that they have formed a family in the confines of the august halls of their school.
It is both touching and moving at the same time to see them being creative and ingenious with their books, school materials and classroom facilities. After all, as it has been proven ever since, scarcity gives way for creativity to be born in the dark moments. It is when we lack in something that we become more aggressive in maximizing what we have on hand, thus, the real essence of Brigada Eskwela.
We also teamed up with the initiative of Kasadya Bacolod Development Foundation Inc. in distributing school items and sacks of rice last week to school communities in the city. The foundation reached Rodolfo Medel Sr. Elementary School and Vista Alegre Granada Relocation Elementary School, among others.
The group also tapped the reigning MassKara Queen Sam Gorgiana Yu, who recently passed the teachers board exam, to share part of her winning to the school communities as part of her advocacy being Bacolod's Ambassador of Goodwill.
Because of its expected wide participation across many parts of the archipelago last week, Facebook even devoted an instant template to promote Brigada Eskwela among its Filipino followers.
This is a good way to call on global partners to invest more on education and youth, as pivotal forces in creating a more progressive nation. What started as a small initiative ways back has already transformed into a culture of giving back to our alma maters and localities.
It has proven that the famous "bayanihan" spirit, which we are known for, is still alive in all parts of the country. If we only maintain this kind of perspective, we will not be waking up to the news on extrajudicial killings and people taking on police powers for themselves.
On the other hand, the stance of the Department of Education to tally the financial and "in kind" support to schools is highly commendable. For more competitive schools in the region, they have tapped organizations, groups and even politicians to participate in this worthy cause.
Brigada champion schools have even targeted international foundations in the US, Canada and other European countries for aid and support. Korean institutions and colleges, for example, have supported many school in Murcia town and even built classrooms themselves. They have constantly sent a group of exchange students, all equipped with basic construction skills, and have formed special bond with local teachers and student.
Indeed, Brigada is one occasion that we unite as a nation. It proves that our students will always have a special place in our hearts. We will never get tired to provide what they need and will forever aspire to quality education that they rightfully deserve.