The Department of Education (DepEd) will spearhead this year’s National “Brigada Eskwela” (BE) kick-off program in a public school in Tarlac province.
The “Brigada Eskwela” is a DepEd initiative under the Adopt-A-School Program that calls for the “engagement and collaboration” of various personnel and stakeholders, such as, but not limited to students, teachers, school officials, private individuals, parents, community members, local government officials, non-government organizations, religious groups, and other private sector for school readiness in the opening of classes.
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https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/3/classes-in-public-schools-for-sy-2023-2024-to-start-on-aug-29-dep-ed
As announced by DepEd, the national kick-off program shall be held on Monday, Aug. 7, at the Tarlac National High School.
DepEd allowed its Regional Offices (ROs) and Division Offices (DOs) to hold their own kick-off ceremonies and advocacy activities after the national kick-off program. From Aug. 8 to 11, ROs and DOs may launch and campaign for the “Brigada Eskwela” in their respective areas, DepEd said.
Known as the National Schools Maintenance Week, the BE also refers to a week dedicated to the conduct of activities to prepare the school for the opening of classes.
For School Year (SY) 2023-2024, the DepEd, through the External Partnerships Service (EPS), will implement the “Brigada Eskwela” Program on Aug. 14 to 19 with the theme, “Bayanihan Para sa MATATAG na Paaralan.”
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https://mb.com.ph/2023/8/4/dep-ed-to-hold-2023-brigada-eskwela-from-aug-14-to-19
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte signed DepEd Order No. 21 series of 2023 dated Aug. 3 or the 2023 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines.
School heads, teachers, and other school personnel were “strictly prohibited” from soliciting or collecting any form of contribution including volunteers, partners, and stakeholders.
“The Brigada Eskwela activities shall focus on voluntary work and participation to ensure that schools are adequately prepares for the upcoming school year,” DepEd said.
The search for best implementing schools and other activities are “no longer part” of the BE, DepEd said. This move aims to ensure the program will be “true to the spirit of volunteerism.”
Despite this, DepEd allowed recognition and appreciation of partners and stakeholders that “contributed to the success” of the BE. However, this may be decided on the school, district, or division levels only.
DepEd noted that all Covid-19 restrictions, including but not limited, to the wearing of face masks and distancing are also lifted with the issuance of Presidential Proclamation No. 297 which lifted the State of Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to Covid-19.
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