DepEd underscores importance of water, hygiene, and sanitation in schools

With more than 27 million students expected to flock to the classrooms starting next month, the Department of Education (DepEd) underscored the importance of water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) facilities in schools.

“We want to make sure that our children, our schools will have, number one, access to safe water. Number two, to have a functional toilet and number three, bahagi ng ating adbokasiya, for them to have proper hygiene habits,” Education Undersecretary Tonisito Umali was quoted as saying in a press release on Thursday. 

As DepEd kicked off this year’s "Brigada Eskwela" at Las Piñas Elementary School Central earlier in the week, Umali highlighted the value of safety and preparedness as indicated in DepEd Memorandum No. 36, series 2019 entitled, “2019 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines.”

Umali enumerated concerns on school safety and readiness that shall be addressed during the annual activity including, among others, cables and wiring, drainage, fire extinguishers, flashlights, evacuation plans, first aid kits, emergency contact numbers, and signages, especially in areas with ongoing construction.

Moreover, Umali stressed that the Brigada Eskuwela is not just a week-long activity but also a year-round movement. “Ang konsepto ng pagbri-Brigada, hindi dapat nagsisimula isang linggo bago ang unang araw ng pasukan at matatapos makaraan ang limang araw ng paglilinis," he said.

"Ito ay dapat araw-araw, linggo-linggo, buwan-buwan, buong taon dapat nangyayari,”  the official added.

DepEd NCR Director Wilfredo Cabral likewise emphasized the value of preparedness throughout the schoolyear.

“Kailangan natin na gawin ito buong taon para ang ating tugon sa lahat ng magiging problema sa taong panuruan ay mayroon kaagad na kasagutan," Cabral said. —Margaret Claire Layug/LDF, GMA News