By Darryl John Esguerra
MANILA – “Welcome back to school! Study hard, kids.”
These simple yet encouraging words, handwritten on a freshly installed blackboard, set the tone for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to Barihan Elementary School in Malolos City, Bulacan as he personally kicked off “Brigada Eskwela 2025.”
Taking time off his usual busy Monday schedule, Marcos joined parents, teachers, and volunteers on the ground, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening public education not only through policy, but through personal and visible support at the grassroots level.
A week before the start of school year 2025–2026 on June 16, the President inspected classrooms undergoing repairs—checking ceilings, windows, and doors to ensure students will return to functional and secure learning spaces.
He also reviewed photo archives of typhoon-related damage in past years, emphasizing the need for continued investment in disaster-resilient school infrastructure.
Beyond Barihan, Marcos also visited Tibagan Elementary School in San Miguel, Bulacan, where he inspected classroom repairs and witnessed a series of school readiness activities.
Among these were gardening, painting, and carpentry projects to improve the school’s physical environment ahead of class opening.
He also observed an orientation session for 20 students using Khan Academy, an online platform offering free, high-quality learning materials —highlighting the growing role of digital tools in the modern classroom.
In support of the digital transformation of public education, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel Aguda presented the newly installed Starlink satellite internet service at the school, which is expected to provide faster and more reliable connectivity for students and teachers alike.
The President and Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara also oversaw the orientation of 200 newly hired public school teachers, a vital component of the Department of Education’s preparations for the academic year.
Gov’t support
Marcos, in a brief message during the orientation of new teachers, thanked them for taking on the noble duty of being educators.
He reassured them of his administration’s continued support.
“Hindi lamang sa financial support kundi pati na sa retraining at ito nga iyon nga binabawasan natin yung administrative duties, yung mga ganyang klase, para makapagturo kayo ng mabuti (Not only through financial support but also through retraining, and we are also reducing administrative duties —those kinds of things —so you can focus on teaching better),” he said.
Marcos was joined by his youngest son, William Vincent, during the school visits.
Brigada Eskwela 2025 runs from June 9 to 13 and is being held simultaneously across all regions.
The five-day campaign mobilizes thousands of volunteers to ensure public schools are fully prepared for the return of some 27 million learners nationwide.
At the Barihan Elementary School alone, over 300 bags filled with basic school supplies will be distributed on the first day of classes —part of a broader effort to ease the burden on families. (PNA)
