Civil society-led campaign Sa Pagbasa, May Pag-asa calls on corporations participating in the annual Brigada Eskwela to further promote the love and facility for reading and learning by donating books during the annual event.
Brigada Eskwela refers to that week when school employees, volunteers and other stakeholders in the education sector participate and contribute time and resources to clean, repaint and repair classrooms in time for the opening of the school year in June.
A program institutionalized by the Department of Education, this year’s Brigada Eskwela is set for May 28 to June 2, with the theme Pagkakaisa Para sa Handa, Ligtas at Matatag na Paaralan Tungo sa Magandang Kinabukasan
Sa Pagbasa, May Pag-asa co-convenors former Education Secretary Armin Luistro, BDO Foundation president Mario Deriquito and civil society leader Vicky Garchitorena launched the book donation campaign on Nov. 27, 2017 (Araw ng Pagbasa) at the Aurora Quezon Elementary School in San Andres Bukid, Malate, Manila.
Sa Pagbasa, May Pag-asa aims to donate 10 million storybooks a year to public schools nationwide, for the use of students from kindergarten to senior high school. It aims to help public school children gain access to a wide range of creative, interesting, and age-appropriate reading materials and instill in them a culture of reading and learning.
“Storybooks are an important part of learning because they spark a child’s imagination, help reinforce values learned at home and in school, and teach about different people and environments. Through this campaign, we will help foster a love of reading and learning among Filipino children, equip them with key skills, and build their character,” said Armin.
Corporations and organizations that have participated in Brigada Eskwela could make their volunteerism more meaningful by donating storybooks, Armin said. “They could add to their advocacy by donating storybooks that they held dear during their own formative years. If every employee or organization member just brought one book when they visit their chosen school, that would already make a huge difference,” he said.
Sa Pagbasa, May Pag-asa encourages corporations and organizations to adopt the campaign by collecting age-appropriate storybooks from their employees or members. The co-convenors also propose that these groups request participating employees to bring one storybook each, for donation to public schools that they’ll be visiting for Brigada Eskwela.
