ILOILO City – The Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 6 kicked off the 2023 Brigada Eskwela with the theme, “Bayanihan Para sa Matatag na Paaralan” at the Iloilo City National High School in Molo district yesterday morning, Aug. 8.
Brigada Eskwelais ayearly school maintenance program harnessing the spirit of community volunteerism to prepare public schools for the new school year.
Classes resume on Aug. 29, according to Hernani Escullar Jr., information officer of DepEd-6.
But Brigada Eskwela should be more than just cleaning and/or repairing classrooms. He said DepEd also encourages the donation of reading/learning materials and school supplies like pen and bags, among others.
“We need help,” Escullar told Panay News.
The Brigada Eskwela kicked off with a motorcade followed by a short program at Iloilo City National High School led by DepEd-6 assistant regional director Dr. Victor G. De Gracia Jr. Participants included teachers, parents and private partners.
Under DepEd Department Order No. 021, Series of 2023 issued on Aug. 3, 2023, DepEd secretary and Vice President Sara Duterte set the 2023 Brigada Eskwela from Aug. 14 to 19.
Schools shall ensure that school grounds, classrooms and all it walls, and other school facilities are clean and free from unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulins, and posters at all times.
Oversized signages with commercial advertisements, words of sponsorships, and/or endorsements or announcements of any kind or nature shall be taken down in compliance with Department Order 37, Series of 2010 titled ‘Prohibition on Use and/or Display of School Signage’s Showing Commercial Advertisements, Sponsorships, and/or Endorsements.’ Classroom walls shall remain bare and devoid of posters, decorations or other posted materials. Classroom shout not be used to stockpile materials and should be clear of other unused items or items for disposal.
DepEd also announced that for this year’s Brigada Eskwela, there will no longer be contests for Best Implementing School Awards, Hall of Fame Awards and Brigada Plus at the national level to emphasize the true spirit of volunteerism.
However, schools, districts and divisions may still give recognition to partners and stakeholders who participated.
This move is to completely prevent the schools, school heads, teachers, and other personnel from holding solicitations to raise contributions for the conduct of its Brigada Eskwela activities./PN
