Brigada Eskwela continues amidst COVID-19

 Every Filipino deserves to be educated—to receive a quality education. This contention is highlighted on Article II Section 17 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, “The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.” 

The aforementioned statement is a clear proof that Filipino people believe that education is an indispensable tool to the growth of a nation.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is married to the dedication of fulfilling this commitment. In fact, DepEd, through the years, has exerted much effort and has devised a number of ways to deliver quality education and to cater the arising needs of every Filipino learner. 

However, having encountering similar dilemmas like those of other government agencies, DepEd, at times, has flaws and shortcomings. Giving quality education to every Filipino calls effort, initiative, and dedication not only from the department but also effort, initiative, and dedication from other stakeholders—the parents, the community, the Local Government Unit (LGU), the Non-Government Organization (NGO), and other sectors which in one way or another can share contribution to make a school a conducive place to stay in. 

Said other stakeholders are only some of the many stakeholders who have contribution to every school in providing quality education which is deserved by every learner. 

Simply saying, “quality education” equates to collaborative effort. That is, quality education means teamwork. Quality education means “we” as DepEd needs helping hands from other stakeholders to provide what is aspired for. In relation to unity, one of the programs of the department is the yearly Brigada Eskwela (School Brigade) activity.

Brigada Eskwela, also known as the “Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan” (Working Together for a School), is a DepEd grassroot activity intended to make each school in the country a conducive place for teaching and learning. 

However, beyond the indicated denotative purpose, Brigada Eskwela activity connotes the traditional image of barrio men bearing together the weight of a bahay kubo (nipa hut) on their shoulders to help their neighbors to transfer their house and the picture of volunteers braving storms and floods to help calamity-stricken communities. 

Thus, Brigada Eskwela brings one to a picture of people from different sectors of society helping each other. Everyone shares the same footing and has willingness to have part to make the institution a better place

Meanwhile, in January 30 of last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in relation to COVID-19 and on March 20, the WHO Director General released an official statement characterizing COVID-19 as a pandemic. 

Countries all over the world implemented preventive measures in response to the rapid increase of COVID-19 positive. As response, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire Luzon area on March 16, 2020 the “Enhanced Community Quarantine” (ECQ).  Also, the local government of Benguet immediately declared suspension of classes through Executive Order 2020-013 (Suspending Classes in the Province of Benguet in all levels for both public and private schools from March 13 to March 22, 2020).

In relation, even the Brigada Eskwela 2020 Monitoring and Implementation scheduled May 18-23, 2020 as indicated in DepEd Memorandum No. 32, s. 2020 has been moved. The usual official monitoring and implementation taking place every May of each year has now been postponed. 

Nonetheless, even this time of pandemic school’s Brigada Eskwela activity has pushed through; however, unlike before, the conduct of the school’s Brigada Eskwela activity has been now been anchored to DepEd Memorandum No. 53, s. 2020 and Memorandum Circular 10, s. 2020. 

Indeed, the effect COVID-19 has changed the face of traditional Brigada Eskwela activity.

✍️Danny Q. Otingey