Manila Bulletin
Philippines
DepEd reconfigures 2020 Oplan Balik Eskwela, Brigada Eskwela due to COVID-19 crisis
Philippines
DepEd reconfigures 2020 Oplan Balik Eskwela, Brigada Eskwela due to COVID-19 crisis
DepEd reconfigures 2020 Oplan Balik Eskwela, Brigada Eskwela due to COVID-19 crisis
Published May 30, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
Due to the disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 crisis in the country, the Department of Education (DepEd) has reconfigured two of its major annual back-to-school programs to be simultaneously conducted starting next week.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd memorandum no. 53 s. 2020, issued the joint implementing guidelines on the 2020 Brigada Eskwela (BE) and Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) relative to the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Briones noted that as a response to the public health emergency, DepEd has developed its Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) which “lays down the direction for basic education in the coming school year.” The LCP, she explained, will be “operationalized on a rolling basis” through implementing issuances, programs, and activities across all levels of governance in DepEd.
As articulated in the BE-LCP, Briones explained that the BE and OBE - which are both annual activities of DepEd to prepare for the school opening - shall be “reconfigured to fully assist the preparation of stakeholders” for the coming school year (SY) 2020-2021 to formally open on August 24.
With theme “Pagpapanatili ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Kabataan,” the joint conduct of BE and OBE will be undertaken from June 1 to August 29, 2020. This year’s BE and OBE will also feature the slogan “Bayanihan sa Paaralan,” which aims to promote sustainable and safe living through the “application of knowledge and convergence of efforts to address the required health standards and social issues at home, in school, and in the community” in the context of COVID-19.
Briones noted that the implementation of BE and OBE “includes the engagement of stakeholders in addressing problems, queries, and other concerns in the preparation for the start of classes.” Given the current health situation, specific amendments, implementation adjustments and plan of action were issued.
New face of ‘Brigada’
Briones explained that the traditional concept of “Brigada” - which involves cleaning, repainting, and doing minor repairs in public schools - “will no longer happen” as scheduled in May.
However, Briones said that this may still be done two weeks before the actual opening of classes in August “depending on the prevailing local risk classification and community quarantine guidelines.” If allowed, all BE related activities “should strictly comply” with protocols on social distancing and implementation of precautionary measures provided by the authorities.
Since the traditional conduct of “Brigada” cannot be carried out, Briones said that the DepEd will be introducing a new concept of the program which focuses on “preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues in the time of COVID-19.”
In particular, Briones said that the activities in the new concept of “Brigada” will highlight partnership initiatives that complement DepEd’s efforts to ensure that quality basic education will continue despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the implementation of its LCP.
BE, Briones said, champions the spirit of volunteerism in DepEd. “It is only the program of DepEd but also that of education stakeholders,” she said. In light of the current COVID-19 situation, she noted that this year’s program aims to ensure that “support provision of learning opportunities while ensuring that health, safety, and well-being of personnel are protected.”
Briones explained this year’s “Brigada” will “play an important mechanism to enable schools to catch up the expectations for multiple learning delivery modalities.” School heads were also asked to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and other non-government organizations and volunteers in cleaning and disinfecting school buildings, classrooms and other school facilities - especially those that were used as COVID-19 isolation or quarantine centers.
School heads were also directed to engage partners to raise the availability of various items such as thermal scanners, cleaning tools, hand sanitizing materials, face masks, multi-vitamins for learners and DepEd personnel, and information materials on COVID-19 during the BE.
Since distance learning will be a major learning delivery component this coming SY, Briones said that printing of materials and provision of supplies for distance learning for the learners, teachers and parents such as notebooks, pad papers, pencils, ballpens, crayons and other materials should be also coordinated during the BE.
In an earlier press briefing, DepEd said that organizations may opt to donate gadgets or devices for learners and teachers who do not have access to technology so they can participate in online learning or blended learning.
Assisting the public
Meanwhile, DepEd - under the OBE - shall set up the Public Assistance Command Center (PACC) at the Central Office with its counterparts at the regional and schools division offices. The OBE Inter-Agency Task Force will also be activated in coordination with various government agencies as members.
Briones said that the OBE shall “continue to address frequently asked questions by parents and learners in relation to enrollment, attendance and other relevant DepEd policies, rules, and regulations on class opening.”
In partnership with BE, Briones said that the OBE this year shall also focus on an information campaign on the implementation of the LCP. The OBE, she explained, shall strengthen its synergy with the BE “to engage agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders in contributing to educational needs, especially at this critical time.”
The national BE and OBE online kick-off program will be hosted by DepEd Region VI on June 1. The schools were also encouraged to document their efforts to implement the new ways of conducting BE and OBE.
(MANILA BULLETIN)
Education Secretary Leonor Briones, in DepEd memorandum no. 53 s. 2020, issued the joint implementing guidelines on the 2020 Brigada Eskwela (BE) and Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) relative to the COVID-19 situation in the country.
Briones noted that as a response to the public health emergency, DepEd has developed its Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) which “lays down the direction for basic education in the coming school year.” The LCP, she explained, will be “operationalized on a rolling basis” through implementing issuances, programs, and activities across all levels of governance in DepEd.
As articulated in the BE-LCP, Briones explained that the BE and OBE - which are both annual activities of DepEd to prepare for the school opening - shall be “reconfigured to fully assist the preparation of stakeholders” for the coming school year (SY) 2020-2021 to formally open on August 24.
With theme “Pagpapanatili ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Kabataan,” the joint conduct of BE and OBE will be undertaken from June 1 to August 29, 2020. This year’s BE and OBE will also feature the slogan “Bayanihan sa Paaralan,” which aims to promote sustainable and safe living through the “application of knowledge and convergence of efforts to address the required health standards and social issues at home, in school, and in the community” in the context of COVID-19.
Briones noted that the implementation of BE and OBE “includes the engagement of stakeholders in addressing problems, queries, and other concerns in the preparation for the start of classes.” Given the current health situation, specific amendments, implementation adjustments and plan of action were issued.
New face of ‘Brigada’
Briones explained that the traditional concept of “Brigada” - which involves cleaning, repainting, and doing minor repairs in public schools - “will no longer happen” as scheduled in May.
However, Briones said that this may still be done two weeks before the actual opening of classes in August “depending on the prevailing local risk classification and community quarantine guidelines.” If allowed, all BE related activities “should strictly comply” with protocols on social distancing and implementation of precautionary measures provided by the authorities.
Since the traditional conduct of “Brigada” cannot be carried out, Briones said that the DepEd will be introducing a new concept of the program which focuses on “preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues in the time of COVID-19.”
In particular, Briones said that the activities in the new concept of “Brigada” will highlight partnership initiatives that complement DepEd’s efforts to ensure that quality basic education will continue despite the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the implementation of its LCP.
BE, Briones said, champions the spirit of volunteerism in DepEd. “It is only the program of DepEd but also that of education stakeholders,” she said. In light of the current COVID-19 situation, she noted that this year’s program aims to ensure that “support provision of learning opportunities while ensuring that health, safety, and well-being of personnel are protected.”
Briones explained this year’s “Brigada” will “play an important mechanism to enable schools to catch up the expectations for multiple learning delivery modalities.” School heads were also asked to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and other non-government organizations and volunteers in cleaning and disinfecting school buildings, classrooms and other school facilities - especially those that were used as COVID-19 isolation or quarantine centers.
School heads were also directed to engage partners to raise the availability of various items such as thermal scanners, cleaning tools, hand sanitizing materials, face masks, multi-vitamins for learners and DepEd personnel, and information materials on COVID-19 during the BE.
Since distance learning will be a major learning delivery component this coming SY, Briones said that printing of materials and provision of supplies for distance learning for the learners, teachers and parents such as notebooks, pad papers, pencils, ballpens, crayons and other materials should be also coordinated during the BE.
In an earlier press briefing, DepEd said that organizations may opt to donate gadgets or devices for learners and teachers who do not have access to technology so they can participate in online learning or blended learning.
Assisting the public
Meanwhile, DepEd - under the OBE - shall set up the Public Assistance Command Center (PACC) at the Central Office with its counterparts at the regional and schools division offices. The OBE Inter-Agency Task Force will also be activated in coordination with various government agencies as members.
Briones said that the OBE shall “continue to address frequently asked questions by parents and learners in relation to enrollment, attendance and other relevant DepEd policies, rules, and regulations on class opening.”
In partnership with BE, Briones said that the OBE this year shall also focus on an information campaign on the implementation of the LCP. The OBE, she explained, shall strengthen its synergy with the BE “to engage agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders in contributing to educational needs, especially at this critical time.”
The national BE and OBE online kick-off program will be hosted by DepEd Region VI on June 1. The schools were also encouraged to document their efforts to implement the new ways of conducting BE and OBE.