The largest secondary public school in Davao City, the Davao City National High School (DCNHS) officially started the Brigada Eskwela (BE) 2023, on Monday morning, August 14, 2023.
Hundreds of students, parents, and teaching and non-teaching staff, participated in the kick-off of the national program, which will last until August 19.
Under the theme "Bayanihan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan," DCNHS Principal Evelyn Magno underscored the school's policy of exclusively accepting physical materials for cleaning purposes and firmly prohibiting cash donations.
“Atong i-emphasize, bawal ta manghatag og kwarta or cash donation. Ang inyohang pagabuhaton, pagpalit mo og bisag unsa na makatabang sa pagpanglimpyo sa usa ka semana nga aktibidad (Our emphasis is on refraining from giving money or cash donations. Your contribution should involve purchasing items that directly aid in the cleaning activities for the week)," Magno said.
Meanwhile, Department of Education -Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) spokesperson Jenielito "Dodong" Atillo said soliciting cash donations is discouraged, as it undermines the spirit of volunteerism.
"We discourage cash donations. We discouraged that because it kills the Bayanihan spirit," he said.
Based on last year's data, DCNHS has the highest enrollment, with over 16,000 students.
The Brigada Eskwela, also called the School Brigade and formally known as the National Schools Maintenance Week under RA 8525, is a nationwide voluntary initiative established in 2003. This significant, ongoing academic event organized by DepEd aims to address school resource shortages through cleanup initiatives and donations from various groups, individuals, communities, and government officials.
DepEd has announced that this year's BE will not feature contests such as the Best Implementing School Awards, Hall of Fame Awards, and Brigada Plus at the national level to emphasize the true spirit of volunteerism. Nevertheless, schools are free to express gratitude to their partners who actively participate in the event. DEF