SAN FERNANDO CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) launched last August 3 the 2021 Brigada Eskwela to prepare for the opening of classes on September 13.
Due to the Covid-19 situation, this year’s Brigada Eskwela shall ensure support for the provision of learning opportunities, while ensuring the health, safety, and protection of the well-being of learners, teachers, and personnel.
Brigada Eskwela shall play an important mechanism to enable schools to catch up with the expectations for multiple learning delivery modalities.
In this light, the Regional Social Development Committee of the Regional Development Council-1, in its meeting on Aug. 2, adopted a resolution enjoining regional line agencies, local government units, and other stakeholders to support the program.
Regional Director Tolentino G. Aquino, said as he expressed gratefulness to the stakeholders,”hiling namin ang patuloy niyong pagtaguyod sa paghahanda ng mga paaralan at ikagagaling ng mga mag-aaral.”“Maraming nakahanay na gawain sa paaralan na tumutugon sa alituntunin ng Department of Health-Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases ang maaaring ihingi ng tulong sa ating mga partners,” Aquino added.
This year’s Brigada Eskwela will be implemented from Aug 3 to Sept 30, with the theme “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan,” focusing on the collaboration and partnership engagements complementing DepEd efforts in the delivery of quality education despite the pandemic.
DepEd memorandum number 048 series of 2021 signed by Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones, provides that Brigada Eskwela activities shall focus on the collaboration and strengthening partnership engagements that complement DepEd efforts to implement the Basic Education – Learning Continuity Plan and to ensure the delivery of quality basic education notwithstanding the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Likewise, Briones said in her message during the national virtual kick-off program, “we will continue with education in the time of imperfect situation and unpredictable environment.”She added, “let us learn from the experiences and challenges we faced last year and continue to innovate and prepare for the uncertain future.”
Meanwhile, among the activities allowed, two weeks before the opening of classes in public schools are physical cleaning and disinfection of schools, depending on the prevailing local risk classification and community quarantine guidelines.
If allowed, the schools shall strictly comply with protocols on social distancing and implement precautionary measures consistent with the IATF health protocols, DOH protection protocols, local quarantine rules and all other relevant protocols provided in DepEd and DepEd Task Force Covid-19 issuances.
By Joanna Diaz-Sabado, Public Affairs Unit