Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Duterte spearheaded the Brigada Eskwela activities in three far-flung schools in this city on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Office of the Vice President said Duterte visited the Tapak Elementary School in Barangay Tapak, Gumitan Elementary School in Barangay Gumitan, and Dominga Elementary School in Barangay Dominga.

“The villages were formerly controlled by the New People’s Army. We are happy to join the residents of the three barangays in preparing their schools for the opening of classes,” Duterte said in a separate Facebook post.

On Tuesday, the Vice President also visited the Governor Vicente Duterte National High School, where she helped paint classroom tables and joined teachers, parents, students and volunteers in cleaning, painting and cutting grass within the school premises.

“I emphasized our goal to have clean, orderly, and functional schools. I also call on the Bayanihan spirit of Filipinos to help prepare our schools for the upcoming school year,” Duterte said.

Duterte has earlier said Brigada Eskwela 2023 is an appeal for bayanihan among education stakeholders to ensure that schools are functional, clean, and orderly for the learners.

Jerez Baltunado, the principal of Dominga Elementary School, said Duterte’s visit served as an inspiration and a source of encouragement for the learners and the entire community.

“I am surprised and honored that no less than the Vice President and Education Secretary visited us here to monitor the Brigada Eskwela. All in all, it can give us the greater perspective to move forward and do better for the next days to come,” he added.

On Thursday, the Vice President is also scheduled to join the Brigada Eskwela at Vicente Duterte Elementary School in Bansalan town, Davao del Sur province. (PNA)