Education is a powerful force for promoting opportunity and growth. It is the
social institution through which society provides its members with important
knowledge, basic facts, job skills, and cultural norms and values.
School provides a structured education and promotes a child’s mental and
psychological growth. Aside from learning academics, a child will also learn other
important life skills, such as creative teamwork, good manners, altruistic unity,
equitable sharing, and personal responsibility. School plays a significant role in a
child’s education. It is the primary guide that educates a learner. In school the
learner is molded and shaped to become a better person. To accomplish this, it
would need dedicated school personnel, cooperative parents, an accountable
community, and enthusiastic and innovative learners.
Educators and all others concerned believe that the environment plays an
important and influential role in the learning process of each learner. And so, if
classrooms are not conducive to learning because of poor physical conditions and
defective school facilities, among others, education is hindered, and cannot be
maximized to its full potential.
With this goal in mind, the Department of Education, as stated in its DepEd
Memorandum 048 s.2021 issued on August 02, 2021, conducted its annual
activities, the “Brigada Eskwela” and the “Oplan Balik Eskwela” in preparation for
the opening of SY 2021-2022 on September 13, 2021. This is in pursuant of Republic
Act 11480 and is in line with the Department’s commitment to ensure that education
continues amid the challenges of the absence of face-to-face classes brought
about by the CoVid-19 pandemic. In preparation for the opening of classes, the
“Brigada Eskwela Program shall be implemented from August 3 to September 30,
2021, with focus on collaboration and strengthening partnership engagements that
compliment DepEd efforts to implement the Basic Education Learning Continuity
Plan (BE-LCP) and to ensure the delivery of quality basic education,
notwithstanding the CoVid-19 pandemic.”
The slogan of Brigada Eskwela, “Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan” is adopted
as this year’s theme to emphasize the country’s collective efforts in promoting
collaboration for safe living and addressing social issues and concerns in school,
at home, and in the community. The implementation of Brigada Eskwela shall
comply with the required health standards, which includes following social
distancing measures and practicing proper hygiene that are consistent with the
Inter-Agency-Task-Force health protocols, Department of Health standards, local
and national quarantine rules, and all other relevant protocols.
The
P.
Villanueva
Elementary
school
joined
this
year’s Brigada Eskwela and Oplan –Balik Eskwela on August 3, 2021, and took to
heart its theme, “Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan”. Ms. Lea M. Marcelo, the school
principal, appointed Ms. Eden M. Miranda as Brigada Eskwela 2021 Coordinator,
who then put together a well-thought team with the guidance and approval of the
principal. This in turn led to the creation of the Brigada Eskwela 2021 Steering
Committees on June 5, 2021.
Mr. Cyril N. Lopez was appointed as
the Brigada Eskwela Co-Coordinator;
Ms.
Sheryl
V.
Soriano
as
the Brigada Pagbasa Focal Person; Ms Anne Liyac and Ms. Liza Pabalan as PTCA
President for PVES and SPED, respectively; Mr. Ricky B. Tagarao as Physical
Facilities Coordinator; Ms. Mary Ann R. Santiago of De La Salle University as the
Private Sector Representative; Ms. Ana V. Bascos as Parents’ Representative; Mr.
Harlan Mart D. De La Cruz as Teachers’ Representative; Ms. Melisa G. Delmo and
Ms. Myra S. Imperial to the Advocacy and Marketing Committee; Mr. Cyril N. Lopez
and Ms. Evony M. Badiola to the Resource Mobilization Committee; Ms. Eden M.
Miranda and Ms. Leticia R. Cruz for the Program Implementation Committee; Ms.
Aileen R. Capoy and Ms. Jonamay J. Docena to the Administrative and Finance
Committee; and Ms. Rangie A. Gain, Ms. Jennifer E. Idusora and Ms. Sheryl V.
Soriano to the Documentation and Attendance Committee; with overall monitoring
and evaluation overseen by the principal, Ms. Lea M. Marcelo.
The Brigada Eskwela Team worked closely together with the principal and
the other stakeholders: the GPTA officers; Brgy. Captains from Brgy. 87 Captain
Rolando Casugod; Brgy. 88 Captain Eduardo Saygo; Brgy. 89 Captain Emmanuel
Ablao; Brgy. 90 Captain Bernardo Policarpio; held a meeting on June 05, 2021 and
discussed in-depth about the work plan and other activities for
the Brigada Eskwela. The Barangay Captains committed themselves to effectively
assist the school by cleaning the school grounds and donating CoVid-19
Essentials. Captain Bernardo Policarpio of Brgy. 90 pledged 100 packs of CoVid19 Essentials for the learners, whereas Captain Eduardo Saygo of Brgy. 88 pledged
shelves for the school. Other Brgy. Captains committed to donating other
necessary materials for the improvement of the school.
After the meeting, particularly the advocacy and marketing committees,
effort immediately began on disseminating relevant information about the program
through tarpaulin and social media announcements. They promptly likewise began
to send letters to stakeholders using online platforms and/or hand delivering it
personally to the offices or persons concerned.
The National Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela kicked-off on
August 3, 2021, hosted by Tagum City, Region XI, Davao Del Norte, via Facebook
and Youtube livestreaming. Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones enthusiastically
encouraged stakeholders to innovate and act together amidst the challenges of the
pandemic.
With
the
slogan “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan” echoing
in
consciousness of those involved, this year’s National Brigada Eskwela, which ran
from August 3 to September 30, 2021 focused on the preparation and partnership
activities that supported the implementation of the Basic Education Learning
Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) with multiple learning delivery modalities. The Education
Chief then dared everyone to strive for innovation and transformation and to adapt
to the changing educational and learning environments and needs of the 21st
century.
Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs and External Partnerships Tonisito
M.C. Umali Esq. emphasized that, unlike the traditional Brigada Eskwela, this
year’s program focused on partnership to strengthen the implementation of
various blended learning modalities and support initiatives for schools, teachers,
and learners. In light of the ongoing pandemic, Brigada Eskwela reinforced
the Brigada Pagbasa initiative, which aims to strengthen learners’ reading
proficiency and the Home Learning Spaces Project, with the latter seeking to
engage parents and partners to create impactful and functional learning spaces at
home for the purpose of fostering academic ease. The Department also
encouraged schools to include WASH in Schools (WINS) and Disaster
Preparedness components in their partnerships.
The National Capital Region Brigada Eskwela kicked-off on September 1,
2021, starting from 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning, and hosted by the Schools Division
of Muntinlupa. Dr. Wilfredo E. Cabral, Regional Director gave his opening remarks,
and called for unity for the implementation and success of Brigada Eskwela 2021.
The Schools Division Brigada Eskwela kicked-off on September 3, 2021. It
began with a 2-minute video presentations from various schools of SDO Pasay. Dr.
Arturo A. Tolentino, OIC-Assitant Schools Division Superintendent gave his
welcome remarks. He shared a meaningful thought that spoke for all of us; “Alone,
we can do so little, but together we can do so much. Unity is our strength. When
there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.”
The Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Loreta B. Torrecampo,
acknowledged and hailed all the internal and external stakeholders. She
elaborated that the slogan, Bayanihan Para Sa Paaralan “inspires everyone to
unite, cooperate and collaborate so we can surpass the challenges and continue
education in this time of pandemic.” And, subsequently, Congressman Antonino
G. Calixto and Mayor Imelda Rubiano-Calixto moreover, gave their messages and
support for SDO Pasay’s Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2021.
The Brigada Eskwela in the New Normal was quite different from the
traditional concept and approach, where the latter focused on repainting, physical
cleaning, and minor repairs, while the New Normal concept and approach focused
on partnership to strengthen the implementation of various blended learning
modalities and support initiatives for schools, teachers and learners.
The Brigada Eskwela in this New Normal also reinforced and enhanced the
“Brigada Pagbasa”, an after-school reading program that envisions bringing
together educational partners and experts to help all learners read and become
functionally literate. The Brigada Pagbasa serves as a platform to synergize
efforts and resources to address education-related challenges, especially literacy
and numeracy. It also creates opportunities for all stakeholders to contribute
possible solutions to the current gaps in the country’s education system,
especially in equipping the learners with 21st Century skills.
Stakeholders play a significant role in helping schools’ function efficiently
and effectively. They are partners of school leaders in making and ensuring that
the school is conducive to the teaching and learning process. They are also
responsible for the achievement of learning outcomes through their active
participation in school activities, programs, and projects.
The Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela teams sought and solicited
donations from stakeholders to support the school in facing the educational
dimension of the new normal. As such, internal and external stakeholders, like the
De La Salle University, De La Salle College of St. Benilde, PAF-EPLADIES, PAFOLCLUB, LGU Pasay, Roentgen Separation Tech. Inc., Bethany Baptist, Mirriam
College, Adarna House Inc., Barangay Officials, Alumni, Parents and other
significant individuals, extended their vital assistance to the school by donating
thermal scanners, hand sanitizing equipment, hand washing facilities, face masks
and shields, and other materials that helped in facing the threat posed by the
CoVid-19 virus. They also donated books, reference materials, reams of bond
paper, load cards for indigent pupils, and other supplies useful in distance
learning. These materials were innumerably helpful, not only to the learners, but
also to the teachers, easing the hardships in facing the challenges of the new
normal in education.
In addition, other stakeholders conducted relevant and useful webinars and
training on how to teach learners in distance learning education. Learners, parents,
and teachers also joined different webinars about mental health, oral hygiene,
parenting, child protection policy, fire and earthquake safety, climate
change/global warming, urban gardening and psychological first aid for them to be
able to handle the impact of the new normal
Oplan balik eskwela
School plays a very important role in a child’s education. It is the primary guide
that educates a learner. In school, the learner is molded and shaped to become a
better person. To accomplish this, it would need dedicated school personnel,
cooperative parents, and accountable community, and enthusiastic and innovative
learners.
Educators and all those concerned believe that the environment plays an
important and influential role in the learning process of each learner. And so, if
classrooms are not conducive to learning because of the poor physical condition
and some school defective facilities of the school, among others, education is
hindered, and not maximized to its potential.
With this goal in mind, the Department of Education conducted its annual
activities, the “Brigada Eskweka” and the “Oplan Balik Eskwela” in preparation for
the opening of SY 2020-2021. This year’s National Schools Maintenance Week
aimed to bring all the stakeholders concerned to participate and contribute time,
effort, and resources to prepare the school for the opening of classes.
These activities are some of the most important programs of the DepEd with
its components, the Brigada Eskwela, the Brigada Eskwela Plus, and the Brigada
Pagbasa. It appeals to the spirit of Bayanihan of private institutions, private
individuals, and government and non-government organizations to work hand in
hand to ensure that the DepEd will realize its mission of protecting and promoting
the right of every Filipino to quality, equitable, culture-based, and complete basic
education.
The P. The Villanueva Elementary school joined this year Brigada Eskwela
and Opla balik Eskwela with the theme: “Pagpapanatili ng Bayanaihan Tungo sa
Kalidad na Edikasyon para sa mga Kabataan,” in May 2020.
Ms. Lea M. Marcelo, school principal, appointed Mr. Cyril N. Lopez as Brigada
Eskwela 2020 coordinator. He then put together a team that led the following
committees. Ms. Jasmin Lopez, Distribution of Letters to Stakeholders; Mrs.
Melowin B. Camus, Advocay and Marketing; Ms. Emmylou T. Dela Fuente,
Resource Mobilization; Mr. Cyril N. Lopez, Program Implementation; Ms. Rangie A.
Gain, Documentation and Reporting; with overall monitoring and evaluation
overseen by the principal, Ms. Lea M. Marcelo.
The Brigada Eskwela Team worked together closely hand-in-hand with the
principal and the other stakeholders: the GPTA officers, Brgy. Captains from the
barangays within the catchment area of the school. They held a meeting on
February 21, 2020, at the school library and discussed in-depth the upcoming
brigada eskwela. The Barangay Captains committed themselves to helping the
school by cleaning and repainting school facilities. Captain Rolando Casugod of
Brgy. 76 pledged to repaint the front wall of the school, while Captain Emmanuel
Ablao pledged to repaint the metal grills of the gates.
After the meeting, particularly the advocacy and marketing committees
began to disseminate relevant information about the program through tarpaulins
and social media announcements. They also punctually began to send letters to
stakeholders using effective means, such as online platforms or sending them
personally to the offices or persons concerned.
The National Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela kicked-off on June
1, 2020, hosted by Region VI via Facebook and Youtube livestreaming. Secretary
Leonor Magtolis Briones gave her message and call to action for “Bayanihan sa
Paaralan”. Education advocates and partners Sen. Win Gatchalian, Sen. Pia
Cayetano, and the other notables rest gave their virtual messages as support to
the programs.
The Division Level of the programs kicked off on June 26, 2020, hosted by
the Schools Division of Pasay. Congressman Tony Calixto and Mayor Emilda
Calixto-Rubiano gave their virtual messages, showing and giving their full support
to the Division Office. Pasay City councilors also pledged their support.
The P. The Villanueva Elementary School had its school-based kick-off on
July 17, 2020. School teachers, parents, learners, GPTA officers, and Barangay
Captains were in attendance.
The school’s Brigada Eskwela team, together with the principal, held a
meeting and discussed the school-based kick-off program. As planned, the
Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela and Stakeholders Convergence was
held on July 17, 2020, thru the online platform Facebook and YouTube Live
streaming. PVES teachers, parents, learners, GPTA officers, Barangay Captains,
and other stakeholders were invited and joined the school-based kick-off. Ms. Lea
M. Marcelo, school principal, presented the School’s Contextualised Learning Plan,
emphasizing that, despite the current situation, education must go on with the help
of the stakeholders. Also highlighted was the convergence of efforts to address
the health and social issues at home, at school, and in the community. Different
stakeholders and their roles were acknowledged, some from the previous Brigada
Eskwela, acknowledged by Sir Harlan Mart Dela Cruz.
The Brigada Eskwela in the New Normal was quite different from the
traditional concept, where the latter focused on repainting, physical cleaning, and
minor repairs, while the New Normal Concept focused on preparation and
partnership engagement that, despite the challenges in education brought about
by COVID-19, education will still and must go on.
Stakeholders play an important role in helping schools function well. They
are partners of the school leaders in making and ensuring that the school is
conducive to the teaching and learning process. They are also responsible for the
achievement of learning outcomes through their active participation in school
activities, programs, and projects. The BE and OBE team sought donations from
stakeholders to support the school in facing the new normal in education. As such,
stakeholders extended their help to the school by donating thermal scanners, hand
sanitizing equipment, hand washing facilities, face masks and shields, and other
materials that helped in facing the threat posed by the COVID-19 virus. They also
donated printing materials, self-learning modules, bond paper, computer sets, TV
sets, used and brand-new cell phones, and other materials that are useful in
distance learning. These materials were innumerably helpful not only to the
learners but also to the teachers, easing the hardships in facing the challenge of
the new normal in education.
Other stakeholders also conducted seminars and training on how to teach
learners in distance learning education. Teachers also joined different webinars
about mental wellness and psychological first aid for teachers, parents, and
students to handle the impact of the new normal education.
Prepared by:
CYRIL N. LOPEZ
BE 2020 Coordinator
Noted: