‘Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi’ to be launched

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday called for coordinated efforts from various stakeholders to help displaced students, teachers, and personnel rebuild their lives by repairing damaged schools and resuming education as soon as safety and security permit.

The DepEd-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), in close coordination with the DepEd Central Office (CO), DepEd Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service (DRRMS), DepEd Region 10, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other partner agencies and organizations, will expedite the revitalization of education in Marawi City through “Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi.”

“While we expect that the situation will be resolved in the near future, we also consider the safety and security, not only of our learners and workforce, but of the individuals and organizations that will go the extra mile to ensure the resumption of classes in Marawi,” said Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

“As soon as clearance is given that the city is safe from unexploded ordnance and other security threats, we will mobilize communities and volunteers to rebuild schools,” Briones added. “Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi” seeks to conduct immediate rehabilitation of public school facilities with minimal damage, and to perform structural investigation and thorough intervention assessment for public schools with substantial damages. To aid in repairing and preparing schools, DepEd emphasizes the need for volunteers and construction supplies such as, but not limited to, paint, cement, nails, galvanized iron sheets, lumber, and hand tools.

Ahead of the planned week-long “Brigada Eskwela sa Marawi,” DepEd – through its DRRMS –has already been organizing interventions that intend to reduce the effect of violence and regain a sense of normalcy among affected residents. Most recent is the conduct of Psychological First Aid (PFA) for the first batch of teachers and personnel in Cagayan de Oro City last week. DRRMS also mobilized resource persons from partners such as Psychological Association of the Philippines CDO (PAP-CDO); Department of Health CDO (DOH-CDO); Teach Peace, Build Peace; Sining Kambayoka of Marawi City; Cultural Center of the Philippines; and Xavier University.

The funds for school supplies (crayons, art papers, glue) and food for learners and PFA providers were mobilized with the help of DepEd Region 9 and Angat-Buhay, in partnership with the Office of the Vice President (OVP). The need for more supplies was immediately provided for by the DepEd ARMM.