MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday urged the private sector to join the upcoming 2025 Brigada Eskwela before the official opening of classes in all public schools nationwide.
The Brigada Eskwela will span from June 9 to 13, ahead of the opening of the academic year on June 16, according to DepEd Memorandum Order No. 42, series of 2025.
In an ambush interview, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will lead the official onset of the week-long nationwide activity.
“Nananawagan rin tayo sa ating mga kaibigan sa pribadong sektor at sa mga iba’t-ibang komunidad na tumulong dito sa kanilang mga eskwelahan (We call on our friends in the private sector and the various communities to help their schools),” he said.
Angara also thanked teachers and other stakeholders who will be taking part in the Brigada Eskwela.
However, he said financial contributions from participating parents in public schools are not mandatory.
“Hindi required iyan. Kung gusto lang ng voluntary, dahil bawal iyong mag-require (No, it’s not required. If they just want, voluntary because requiring it is prohibited),” Angara said.
Meanwhile, the education chief said over 800 schools nationwide will implement the pilot run of the revised Senior High School (SHS) curriculum to ensure the employability of Grade 12 graduates.
Under the said reform, core subjects were reduced to five from 15 per semester.
These include Effective Communication, Life and Career Skills, General Mathematics, General Science, and Pag-aaral ng Kasaysayan at Lipunang Pilipino (Study of Philippine History and Society).
The SHS strands likewise will be replaced with "clusters of electives" to grant learners the flexibility to choose from four curricular exits, including higher education, employment, entrepreneurship, or middle-level skills development.
Angara said SHS learners in pilot schools will have the discretion of choosing electives fit for their post-SHS plans. (PNA)