Brigada Eskwela Kicks Off Amidst Pandemic

Talavera Mayor Nerivi Santos Martinez was present on the said event to personally witness and assist the distribution of 1 printer, 5 bottles of printer ink and 40 rims of bond paper each for the Basang Hamog, Pantoc Bulac, Tagaytay and Casulucan Este elementary schools to support their module production.

By VW Shubert Ciencia

MD R3 Nueva Ecija East and Aurora

The Coronavirus Pandemic that has crippled the nation’s economy and demobilize the people by stringent lockdowns and imposition of curfew hours in its nationwide implementation practically changed the social landscape and the way of life of the Filipinos. The education sector was also severely affected by COVID-19, forcing schools and universities to adopt a method of learning and teaching that relies heavily on the internet. The advent of “virtual” and “online” classes emerged as the new normal in relation to academic learning process.

Adopting to the new normal means students doing the study and exams on an online platform. As the nation struggles to recuperate from this Pandemic, Brethren of the Craft spearheaded a yearly program called “Brigada Eskwela” aimed at helping the modular approach program of schools by providing the necessary tools for learning via the internet. Through the initiative of the District Deputy Grand Master Very Worshipful Hossain Vito Cruz Shamsoddin Vostakalaei last June 17, 2021, Brigada Eskwela was formally initiated through MD R3 Nueva Ecija East and Aurora by teaming up with WB Alfred Leonard Domingo and Talavera Masonic Lodge no. 273 in donating materials and equipment to 4 barangay schools in Talavera. Talavera Mayor Nerivi Santos Martinez was present on the said event to personally witness and assist the distribution of 1 printer, 5 bottles of printer ink and 40 rims of bond paper each for the Basang Hamog, Pantoc Bulac, Tagaytay and Casulucan Este elementary schools to support their module production. The Brigada Eskwela is an annual initiative of Lodges for public schools with the support of the District. The objectives are to support the public school system through donations, participation in school pre-opening activities and respond to any related requests from the PTA. Another objective of the program is to redirect the charity work of Lodges in support of public education through strategic partnerships with the PTA which is sustainable.