To ensure that public schools are ready in time for school opening, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced the conduct of the 2023 “Brigada Eskwela (BE)” from Aug. 14 to 19. During 'Brigada Eskwela', DepEd gathers volunteers to help in various activities to prepare schools for the opening of classes. (MANNY LLANES / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) Signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, DepEd issued the Implementing Guidelines for this year’s BE contained in DepEd Order No. 21 series of 2023 dated Aug. 3. Also known as the National Schools Maintenance Week, the “Brigada Eskwela” is a nationwide school maintenance program that “engages all education stakeholders to contribute their time, efforts and resources in ensuring that public schools are all set in time for class opening.” For this year, the BE is a six-day day event where local communities, parents, alumni, civic groups, local businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private individuals, and even teachers and students “volunteer their time and skills” the conduct of clean-ups, minor to medium repairs, and maintenance work in classrooms and within the school site.

National, regional kick-off

In an advisory released on Friday, Aug. 4, DepEd announced that the National Brigada Eskwela Kick-Off will be held on Aug. 7 at Tarlac National High School. In a Viber message, DepEd Undersecretary Michael Poa said that schools will have their kick-off leading to the start of the scheduled BE week.

Lifting of Covid-19 restrictions

With the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 297 dated July 21, 2023, DepEd reiterated the lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to Covid-10. Given this, DepEd noted that all prior orders, memoranda, and issuances that are effective only during the State of Public Emergency shall be “deemed withdrawn, revoked or cancelled and shall no longer be in effect.” Moreover, DepEd noted that all Covid-19 restrictions including but not limited to the wearing of face masks and distancing are lifted.

BE implementing guidelines

For this year’s BE, DepEd instructed all regions and schools divisions to provide “intensive and extensive support” to school heads. Based on the guidelines, DepEd said 2023 BE shall include the pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation stages. During the pre-implementation stage, DepEd said schools are expected to assess physical facilities and maintenance needs of schools; ensure compliance with the absolute no prohibition on solicitation; and create of BE Working committee that will conduct extensive public awareness campaigns, establish partnerships for resource mobilization, actual program implementation, handling of administrative and financial matters, and documentation. During the implementation stage, DepEd noted that “all work and tasks performed under the Brigada Eskwela are voluntary in nature.” DepEd also asked school heads to ensure the “maintenance of clean schools” during the week-long activity. In the post-implementation stage, schools are also expected to prepare and submit accomplishment reports; sustain the BE efforts, and awarding of service credits and compensatory time-off for teachers who participated in the BE. To stay “true to the spirit of volunteerism,” DepEd said that the search for best implementing schools and others are “no longer part” of the BE and that any issuance regarding awards and recognition has been “rescinded.” DepEd, however, noted that recognition and appreciation of partners and stakeholders that “contributed to the success” of the BE may be decided on the school, district, or division levels only.