Brigada Eskwela

DepEd Order 21: Implementing Guidelines for Brigada Eskwela

deped order 21 implementing guidelines for brigada eskwela

Education is not only vital to an individual’s success. But it also plays a significant role in developing a nation. Aside from that, an environment conducive to learning is essential for learners. That’s why, before the academic year starts, the Department of Education (DepEd) requires all schools in the Philippines to remain clean and organized. To promote an environment conducive to learning, the department issued the DepEd Order 21.

This order contains the 2023 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines, implemented from August 14-19, 2023. Under this order, schools must identify and address their maintenance needs for classrooms, grounds, and other facilities. In addition, the directive promotes a clean learning environment, where schools should be free from unnecessary posted materials of any kind or nature, even as visual instructions or classroom decorations and announcements.

deped order 21 implementing guidelines for brigada eskwela

What is DepEd Order 21?

Issued by the department on August 3, 2023, the DepEd Order (DO) No. 21 series (s.) 2023 is titled the “Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines.” Its implementation started on August 14-19, 2023, when the annual Brigada Eskwela occurred set by DepEd. The Brigada Eskwela (BE) is a 6-day school maintenance program/event that occurs nationwide. In this program, all education stakeholders devote their time, efforts, and resources to ensure public schools in the country are prepared and equipped for class opening.

During this event, various people from communities participate to ensure its success, such as non-government organizations (NGOs), local businesses, civic groups, private individuals, alumni, and parents. Furthermore, teachers and students partake in this program to perform clean-up, maintenance, and minor repairs in classrooms and the school site. Thus, all regions and school division superintendents must implement this order and assist school heads.

2023 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines

A. Pre-implementation Stage

As a preparation for the Brigada Eskwela implementation, schools shall follow these guides:

  • Assess the school’s physical facilities to determine the required maintenance for the upcoming academic year.
  • Comply with the Absolute Prohibition on Solicitation, which forbids school heads, teachers, and other personnel from collecting or soliciting any fees for Brigada Eskwela.
  • Supervise and create the Brigada Eskwela Working Committees, composed of teachers, non-teaching personnel, and volunteers, such as community members, parents, learners, and other stakeholders.

Once created, the committee of the school Brigada Eskwela shall take responsibility for the following:

  • Perform extensive public awareness campaigns by encouraging participation in Brigada Eskwela.
  • Establish partnerships to muster voluntary resources, from materials, workforce, and services required in performing Brigada Eskwela.
  • Manage, supervise, and monitor different activities administered to ensure in line with the Annual Implementation Plan (AIP) and School Improvement Plan (SIP)
  • Handle administrative and financial matters.
  • Prepare essential documentation of the Brigada Eskwela Program, like photos, videos, attendance records of volunteers, donation reports, and rendered services.

B. Implementation Stage

The implementation of Brigada Eskwela will depend on the date imposed by DepEd and last for six (6) days. According to this policy, all tasks or work are voluntary during the Brigada Eskwela. After assessing the school facilities and identifying needed maintenance, schools must choose applicable activities to implement the program. To choose suggested activities, the committee may follow the list in the photo below:

DepEd Order

The objective of Brigada Eskwela is the maintenance of clean schools. Hence, DepEd instructs schools to ensure all their facilities, including grounds, classrooms, and walls, are clean and free from unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, and posters the entire time. Schools must also comply with the DO 37, s. 2010 or the Prohibition on Use and/or Display of School Signages Showing Commercial Advertisements, Sponsorships, and/or Endorsements policy. Lastly, classroom walls must be bare/free of any posted materials, stockpiles, or dispose of unused items.

C. Post-Implementation Stage

This stage occurs after the 6-day Brigada Eskwela implementation, wherein the amassed data are combined to prepare the school’s accomplishment report, tackling the following:

  • Schools shall prepare and submit the collected data by accomplishing the Brigada Eskwela Report via the DepEd Partnerships Database System (DPDS)
  • Sustain Brigada Eskwela by improving the school all year round to ensure a clean, conducive, and resilient learning center for children.
  • Teaching personnel actively involved as a member of the Brigada Eskwela Working Committees or volunteering in the program’s activities will earn a 1-day service credit/compensatory time off given they render an 8-hour service in the event. However, the service credit/compensatory time off should not exceed six (6) days.
  • Recognition and appreciation of partners at the SDO and Regional Level

D. Implementation Roles and Responsibilities

Central Office

  • Issue School Preparedness Guidelines
  • Led the Brigada Eskwela National Kick-Off Program
  • Supervise the program implementation
  • Confirm and assess the Brigada Eskwela Report submitted in DPDS
  • Give updates to the general public and media regarding the implementation status
  • Organize and expedite the distribution of donations received by the Central Office

Regional Office

  • Encourage local stakeholders to assist the Brigada Eskwela implementation
  • Oversee the program’s actual implementation
  • Create the Regional Monitoring Team (approved by the Director)
  • Validate Brigada Eskwela Reports of Schools Division Offices (SDOs)
  • Manage planning meetings with SDOs
  • Offer technical assistance to SDOs
  • Verify, observe, and prepare a report on preparedness strategies

Division Office

  • Deploy assistance from government agencies and education partners
  • Distribute equal support to schools
  • Observe and assess the school’s implementation daily
  • Verify the partnership interventions submitted to schools
  • Endorse schools the Regional Office (RO) should monitor
  • Perform orientation on the implementing guidelines of Brigada Eskwela
  • Coordinate with uniformed personnel and local government agencies
  • List schools that require the most support from partners

Public Schools

  • Lead the school preparedness activities
  • Create the Brigada Eskwela Task Force
  • Determine relevant Brigada Eskwela activities
  • Determine potential partners
  • Ensure implementation of Brigada Eskwela activities
  • Submit generated resources and volunteers to PSDS
  • Give updates to partners/stakeholders
  • School heads may lead innovations to enhance the performance level of learners and teachers if the school improves all physical facilities and doesn’t require any maintenance.

Partners, Stakeholders, & Volunteers

Partners, stakeholders, and volunteers shall supervise and assist in the Brigada Eskwela activities by coordinating with the school.

Teachers

  • Assist the school head in implementing the activities
  • Encourage parents/guardians of learners to partake in the program
  • Supervise assigned tasks to volunteers
  • Determine the needs of classrooms to guarantee readiness

Supreme Student Government (SSG)/Supreme Pupil Government (SPG) Officers

Officers of SSG/SPG should help homeroom teachers implement Brigada Eskwela activities.

DepEd Order 21 Full Memo Download

If you want to download the full memo PDF file of DepEd Order No. 21, series of 2023, we have provided a direct link on this page. Simply click the download button below and get a copy of DepEd Order 21 in PDF format.

Full PDF DepEd 21 memo file – https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DO_s2023_021.pdf

Video: DEPED order no.21: Tiyaking malinis at walang unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, etc.

Watch the video below to learn more about DepEd Order 21:

As discussed in the video, DepEd Order 21 requires all classrooms and school grounds to be clean and free of unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, and posters. Remove posted materials from classrooms and school facilities. By doing so, classrooms will look more clean, spacious and ventilated, making them ideal and safer for school children.

Summary

Although the guidelines in DepEd Order 21 make classrooms look understimulated, some believe it still depends on teachers’ performance to keep learning engaging. Moreover, the guidelines in this order aim to maintain clean and safe classrooms. It also ensures preparedness in schools before the academic year commences. Therefore, all concerned should partake in Brigada Eskwela implementation, including DepEd personnel, non-teaching staff, teachers,

Brigada Eskwela Program: How to Participate in Your School

deped brigada eskwela program

When it comes to the essence of being a Filipino, one of the most significant traits that we have is the spirit of Bayanihan. This is the main concept of DepEd’s Brigada Eskwela Program, where teachers, learners, and parents help each other to clean and prepare their classrooms for the school opening. Communal unity is a core value that binds Filipinos together from all walks of life, and it is only right to practice it during school activities.

In most local communities, it is a common practice to help one another without expecting anything in return, especially money. And so, the Department of Education in the Philippines designed a program that will keep the spirit of Bayanihan alive no matter the modern times. If you’re looking to join the Brigada Eskwela in your school community, make sure to read about the guidelines and the upcoming schedules before the start of classes.

What is Brigada Eskwela?

The Brigada Eskwela Program is implemented according to Republic Act 8525 enacted during President Ramos’ time. It provided concerned individuals with tax incentives specifically for private interventions often done in schools. Meanwhile, the Adopt a School Program encouraged private-public partnership and volunteerism in public education.

The National Schools Maintenance Week or School Brigade is joined by schools nationwide through voluntary efforts. This DepEd program addresses any resource gaps that they often encounter by building strong partnerships with local communities and schools. It also gathers civic groups, non-government organizations, local businesses, alumni, parents, students, teachers, and other individuals who want to help in repairing classrooms, cleaning up public schools, and doing some maintenance work.

Features and Benefits

As one of the activities in the Philippines’ school calendar, Brigada Eskwela is carried out in all schools nationwide in order to ensure that learning facilities are ready weeks before the start of classes. DepEd had faced several issues in the past including overcrowded classes, a shortage of classrooms, and unprepared schools for the opening of the school year. Here are the benefits of the BE program:

  • Classroom repairs and painting.
  • Cleaning and organizing school materials.
  • Maintenance of school facilities.

The School Brigade has helped DepEd in alleviating these issues since 1998 while allowing partnerships with stakeholders to share their resources and improve the quality of public education in the country. The program has been beneficial to all learners, teachers, and school heads as well as the entire school community by saving and providing resources for the schools.

With improved school facilities through Brigada Eskwela, the Department aims to continuously achieve a better learning environment for learners all over the country. Teachers can start their classes right away during the first day of school while students can focus on the lectures without getting distracted by the need to clean the room before the opening of classes.

How to Join the Brigada Eskwela Program by DepEd

More people are extending their help to elementary and secondary schools every year. In fact, there are local businesses that donate in-kind or cash to schools, while some send their representatives to volunteer for the cleaning, repair, or maintenance work. In addition, local civic groups and members of LGUs, community members, and private partners all come together to volunteer and contribute to a healthier learning environment for learners.

During Brigada Eskwela, public schools become a venue for people who want to participate in the program to achieve one goal. According to DepEd, the main objective is to promote understanding among the various sectors of Philippine society because education is a responsibility that every Filipino individual needs to fulfill.

To participate, follow these steps:

Step 1: Stay updated regarding the upcoming Brigada Eskwela in your area.

Step 2: Prepare any cleaning material that you can use during the implementation of the program.

Step 3: Be ready to clean the classrooms and perform some repairs as needed.

The goal is to make the rooms conducive to learning so that students can concentrate on their lessons. However, solicitation is strictly prohibited among teachers, school heads, and other non-teaching personnel.

Implementing Guidelines

The program is implemented with the External Partnerships Service of DepEd to engage education stakeholders in contributing to the betterment of public classrooms before the class opening. Under the Implementing Guidelines, school divisions and regions should provide intensive and extensive support to all school heads. To ensure compliance, schools need to perform an assessment of the maintenance needs and physical facilities conditions.

The Brigada Eskwela Working Committee should

  • Conduct public awareness campaigns.
  • Handle financial and administrative matters.
  • Establish good relationships to mobilize resources.
  • Implement the actual program.

The tasks and other work done for BE are voluntary, hence there’s no need for solicitation which is prohibited. Throughout the week-long activity, school heads need to ensure all classrooms are cleaned and maintained for the opening of classes.

After implementing the program, school heads are required to prepare an accomplishment report and submit it to DepEd. They also need to carry out strategies in order to sustain their Brigada Eskwela efforts. All teachers who will participate in the BE program will receive an award for service credits as well as compensatory time off. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers implemented the Bantay Balik-Eskwela hotline to monitor schools under the BE implementation.

Video: 2022 National Brigada Eskwela Kick-Off Program

In this video, you will understand what the Brigada Eskwela means and see how the kick-off program works. It includes everything you need to know about the BE program and the voluntary efforts of teachers, learners, parents, and other individuals who contribute to the implementation of this activity.

Summary

Education is an important part of every individual’s life, which is key to a successful future. With the Brigada Eskwela, you have the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of public education quality. Now that you know how to participate in the BE program, you can help improve the learning facilities that we have in the Philippines through volunteer work. Join other concerned citizens in providing a more conducive learning environment to pupils and students

error: Content is protected !!