MANILA — The Brigada Eskwela or the “National Schools Maintenance Week” kicks off today, and top education officials set to monitor various schools in the country’s various regions.
THE Department of Education (DepEd) said that public elementary and secondary schools nationwide are all set for this year’s “Brigada Eskwela”,which is a week-long activity from May 19 to 24.
“It is a school maintenance effort that engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, effort, and resources in ensuring that the public school facilities are ready in time for the forthcoming school opening,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro
Luistro is expected to be in Leyte today for the turnover of schools repaired by the Korean military.
Last November, some 20,000 classrooms – at least 3,000 for replacement and more than 14,000 for repair – were destroyed and damaged by typhoon “Yolanda” in Eastern Visayas.
DepEd said that despite the damaged classrooms, classes in Region 8 will reopen on June 2 along with all public schools nationwide.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), the kickoff will be at Dalandanan National High School in Valenzuela City to be attended by DepEd Undersecretary for Regional Operations Lino Rivera.
Meanwhile, environmental groups urged last Sunday Brigada Eskwela organizers to make sure lead-safe work practices are being applied as schools are cleaned, repaired or renovated in time for school opening.
In a joint reminder, the Philippine Association of Paint Manufacturers, Inc. (PAPM) and the Ecological Waste Coalition of the Philippines, Inc. (EcoWaste Coalition) said that renovation activities, especially those involving repainting, should be done safely to prevent lead paint chips or dust from spreading out.
Both groups noted that applying lead safe work practices should be consistent with the instruction given by the Department of Education (DepEd).
They then urged school principals to “take the lead role in planning activities to promote a safe school environment”.
PAPM president Herny So said that the lead dust that may be created as a result of school renovation activities can cause serious health problems for the Brigada Eskwela participants, with the children at highest risk of exposure.
“It is therefore important for everyone to observe proper procedures in renovation activities to prevent and reduce lead-based paint hazards,” So said.
“Disturbing a surface previously coated with lead paint by dry sanding or scraping will produce huge amounts of lead-containing dust particles and should be avoided,” he added.
EcoWaste coordinator Aileen Lucero meanwhile warned that children could easily ingest the lead paint chip or dust through normal hand-to-mouth activities.
“Ingesting or breathing into lead dust has the potential of permanently damaging a child’s developing brain and nervous system, causing learning disabilities and decreased intelligence as measured by IQ scores,” she said.
Childhood lead exposure is estimated to contribute to about 600,000 new cases of children with intellectual disabilities every year, according to the World Health Organization, which has listed lead as one of the “ten chemicals of major public health concern.”
Towards a lead safe Brigada Eskwela, the EcoWaste Coalition and the PAPM have recommended the following basic precautionary steps:
1. Use lead safe paint for school interiors, exteriors, furniture and fixtures.
2. Keep children and pregnant women out of the work area (lead is very hazardous to unborn children).
3. Do not disturb lead painted surfaces in good condition.
4. Cover cracked or deteriorated surfaces with lead safe paint. Do not dry sand or dry scrape painted surfaces.
5. Wet sand or wet scrape if desired or needed. Use a spray bottle or wet sponge to keep the surface damp and the airborne dust levels low.
6. Do not eat, drink or smoke in the work area.
7. Work clean: create little dust as possible, clean up thoroughly and dispose of paint waste properly.
8. Thoroughly wash hands with soap and water after any repainting work.
9. After a repainting job, change clothes before going home, set aside in a sealed reusable bag and wash separately. (with reports from Philippine News Agency)
