Brigada Eskwela kicks off opening of classes in Marawi City

From right: DepEd Secretary Briones, Marawi Mayor Gandamra, DepEd-ARMM Secretary Magno, an unnamed DepEd Assistant Secretary, and Marawi Schools Division Supetintendent Sansarona. Behind them are pupils and students who just received schol bags from RG Hataman. (RSO)

By ROCAYA SUMNDAD OTICAL
Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
December 13, 2017

A full force Bigada Eskwela 2017 kicked off here Wednesday morning the opening of school classes which were disrupted by the Marawi Siege since May 23, 2017 that lasted six months. 

No less than DepEd Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones who led officials from various DepEd central, regional and division offices in the country in coming all along to Marawi to mark the historical school opening ceremonies.

Dr. John A. Magno, DepEd-ARMM regional secretary, and his assistant secretaries, arrived earlier to welcome Briones and company and to actively assist and participate in the activity.

In her opening remark, Pharida L. Sansarona, schools division head of the Islamic city of Marawi, said officials and teachers of her division have mixed emotions. 

She said some are happy because at last they have comeback while others sad because they have no more homes to return to with their houses devastated. "But we leave that to Allah," she said. 

Sansarona emphasized that Marawians are brave and "We are brave because you are all there for us," referring to the government, especially the DepEd officials, the international partners, as well as local officials and NGOs.

Sansarona thanked the DepEd officials for their full support. She made special mention of Regional Secretary Magno who downleaded Php 400 Thousand to spend for the occasion.

Around 50 schools in the city now recovering from the May 23 siege are to open classes. 

After the kick off program held at Camp Amai Pakpak Central Elementary School (APCES) which incidentally hosts Marawi Division office under Superintendent Sansarona, Sec. Briones and the DepEd officials will visit the different schools.

(RSP)