Australia participates in Brigada Eskwela 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The Australian Embassy yesterday participated in the Department of Education’s (DepEd’s) “Brigada Eskwela 2011” as it continued to show its strong support for education in the Philippines.

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith led the painting activity in the Tondo High School, in Tondo, Manila.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Arnulfo Empleo, school principal, also joined in the activity to paint one of the classrooms of the four-story 65-classroom building.

“This is an opportunity for Australian Embassy staff to work side-by-side with teachers and parents to get schools ready for the new school year,” said Smith.

“Our participation in Brigada Eskwela is part of Australia’s significant commitment to help improve the quality of teaching and learning in the Philippines,” Smith also said.

Some 80 Australian Embassy representatives will participate in Brigada Eskwela activities this week in eight schools in Manila, Las Pinas, Mandaluyong and Paranaque.

Australia has provided about P2.5 million to support Brigada Eskwela activities in 50 public schools — 20 in Metro Manila and 30 in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

Each school received up to P70,000 to purchase supplies such as paint and cleaning materials, as well as equipment such as electric fans.

Since 2008, Australia has provided approximately P120 million (A$3 million) to the DSWD to strengthen the roll-out of the Pantawid Pamilya Program. Thirteen Metro Manila schools are recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Conditional Cash Transfer Program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

From 2011 to 2012, the Australian Government Aid Program will provide up to P2 billion (A$50 million) to help the Philippines reach its Education for All goals — to get children into school and keep them there-and improve basic education outcomes in the Philippines.

Australian support helps increase access to quality education for Filipino girls and boys, including those with disabilities, Muslim and indigenous children and children in disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas.