STILL celebrated with a spirit of volunteerism, the Department of Education formally launched a "reconfigured" Brigada Eskwela with the theme "Bayanihan sa Paaralan" which highlights 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.
The new concept of Brigada Eskwela shall focus on preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues even in the time of Covid-19. The activities shall highlight partnership initiatives that complement the Department's efforts to ensure that quality basic education will continue despite the challenges posed by Covid-19, and to implement the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP).
Aside from the usual activities conducted in the past Brigada Eskwela, School Heads must coordinate with the Local Government Units or other non-government organizations and volunteers to clean and disinfect school buildings, classrooms, and other school facilities. They shall also engage partners to ensure the availability of thermal scanners; soap, alcohol and/or hand sanitizer; cleaning tools and disinfectants; face masks, face shields, and surgical gloves; multivitamins capsules, tablets, or syrups for DepEd personnel and learners; Covid-19 and sanitation/proper hand washing hygiene information materials; and materials and supplies for distance learning for the learners, teachers and parents (i.e. bond papers, worksheets, notebooks, pad paper, ball pens, pencils, crayons, coloring materials and others).
Brigada Eskwela or the national schools' maintenance week, which includes cleaning, minor repairs, repainting, beautification, landscaping, electrical works and installations, and other activities may still be done during the two weeks before the opening of classes in public schools on August 24, 2020 but only in areas allowed by the local risk classification and applicable quarantine guidelines by that time.
At the same time, DepEd also kicked-off its annual Oplan Balik Eskwela to ensure that learners are properly informed of the learning opportunities amidst Covid-19 as part of BE- LCP. It aims to address enrollment-related problems, queries and other concerns commonly encountered by the public. Oplan Balik Eskwela shall strengthen its synergy with the Department's Brigada Eskwela for this school year to engage agencies, organizations, and other stakeholders in contributing to educational needs, especially at this critical time.
Public Assistance Command Centers (Pacc) shall be set up at the Central Office, Regional Offices, and Schools Division Offices 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.