Brigada Eskwela
Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela 2021 Accomplishment Report
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 CoVid-19 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, PAF-OLCLUB, 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.
Prepared by:
EDEN M. MIRANDA
BE 2021 Coordinator
Noted:
LEA M. MARCELO
School Principal II
