Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Duterte led the ceremonial kick-off of “Brigada Eskwela 2024” in Cebu City on Wednesday, July 17.

During her speech, Duterte expounded on the significance of Brigada Eskwela beyond its literal translation.

“Some of us might think of cleaning doors and repainting walls or giving out donations, such as books and school supplies. But I assure you, it is much more than that,” she said.

“‘Brigada’ comes from the military term brigade, which means a group of people organized for a special mission. Today, our special activity goes beyond just organizing an event. It is about bringing the MATATAG Agenda to life outside the confines of our classrooms by putting the ‘eskwela’ in ‘brigada’,” she added.

Under the theme, “Bayanihan Para sa MATATAG na Paaralan,” Duterte highlighted the power of partnership in fostering stronger educational environments.

“We are all here to prove that with the power of partnership, it builds walls to strengthen, not to divide. Today, we have a total of 72 partners standing strong with us in ‘bayanihan’ para sa MATATAG na Paaralan,” she said.

Echoing the Department of Education’s (DepEd) commitments under the “MATATAG Agenda: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa,” Duterte outlined the key priorities for the upcoming school year.

“We have made many strides to resolve basic education challenges,” she said.

Duterte noted that for School Year 2023-2024, the Basic Education Report emphasized making schools safe for children, strengthening the mechanism in safeguarding the learners against all forms of violence, discrimination, and dangers, and underscoring the welfare of learners, which comes hand-in-hand with the promotion of inclusivity in schools.

“Building on what we have accomplished in the past, DepEd renews its commitments for School Year 2024-2025, and we understand that we cannot do this alone, that to achieve we must muster the support of many, of like-minded people, and dedicated people,” she said.

She commended DepEd’s efforts in preparing for each school year, particularly through Brigada Eskwela.

“In the 2023 edition, we amassed a total of P5.56 billion in resources, including volunteer man-hours and materials. This demonstrates that there is strength in numbers, and even greater strength when we come up and show up together,” she said.

Duterte also said that Brigada Eskwela is not merely about addressing shortages in schools but also about showcasing the social and cultural importance of coming together.

“And this bayanihan will be put to waste if we do not continue to show what MATATAG means in our own little way,” she said.

“Let us hope that our learners will be ready for the opening of classes and for the challenges that they will be facing. As they look at the four walls around them, may they be reminded not just of the resources that are provided but of the bayanihan experience that we shared,” she added.