BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Thousands showed up all over the country as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara led the kickoff of the Department of Education’s Brigada Eskwela 2025 in Bulacan on Monday, rallying communities to help prepare public schools for the June 16 opening of School Year 2025- 2026.

In the heart of Bulacan, President Marcos and Secretary Angara joined the Brigada Eskwela activities of two public schools in Malolos and San Miguel.

At Barihan Elementary School in Malolos City, the President and Secretary studied the proposed construction plans for the flood-prone school, speaking with local engineers and teachers about recovery timelines and structural upgrades. They then joined parent volunteers to install a brand-new blackboard in one of the affected classrooms, signaling a renewed commitment to resilient and quality education.

At Tibagan Elementary School in San Miguel, President Marcos and Secretary Angara visited a Khan Academy-powered class and witnessed the installation of a brand-new Smart TV. They also inspected the recently activated Starlink internet setup, part of DepEd’s effort to bridge the digital divide. They also offered words of encouragement for newly hired public teachers, 20,000 of whom are being deployed nationwide this year.

With simultaneous activities across the nation, this year’s theme, “Brigada Eskwela: Sama- sama Para sa Bayang Bumabasa,” underscores the campaign’s sharpened focus on literacy and community-driven support for learners.

Upon the instruction of President Marcos, Secretary Angara emphasized that this year’s Brigada Eskwela is anchored on literacy, data-informed planning, and community health.

“Every repaired classroom is a promise to our children that learning will not wait. Every volunteer’s hand is a testament that the future of education rests not just in programs, but in people,” Angara said.

“Kung may bayang bumabasa, may bansang puno ng pag-asa. When a child reads with confidence, a nation rises with dignity,” he added.

Committed to ensure classrooms are clean, safe, and learner-ready, thousands of schools across all regions joined the synchronized Brigada Eskwela effort, with government agencies like the DPWH, DICT, and MMDA providing vital support in infrastructure repair, digital tools, and environmental sanitation.

The campaign also highlights DepEd’s structural reforms, including the hiring of 20,000 new teachers and 10,000 administrative staff, as well as the reduction of teachers’ paperwork by 57% through streamlined reporting.

With no less than the President leading the way, this year’s Brigada marks a shift in national mindset from viewing school readiness as a seasonal task to embracing it as a shared movement toward dignity, readiness, and real opportunity for every Filipino learner.

*All Photos from DepEd