ILOCOS SUR, Aug. 29 (PIA) – Governor Ryan Luis Singson expresses full support to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) reconfigured Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela programs as the country continues to fight the COVID-19 public health emergency.
 
As the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela take new forms to adapt to the new normal, Governor Singson enjoined all stakeholders to assist the schools within their jurisdictions adjust to the new learning modalities.
 
“This year, as we carry on with our lives despite the pandemic, we are once again called upon to help prepare for the opening of classes. Our children’s education must not be put on hold even if our students remain in the safety of our homes,” Singson said.
 
In reference to this year’s Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela slogan, “Bayanihan sa Paaralan”, the governor urged everyone, especially the parents, to join with the government to ensure that the youth get the best possible education despite the challenges of new learning methods.
 
He said, “The theme resonates with the needed support of our school because without our ‘pakikipag-bayanihan’ or the cooperation between schools and parents, the education of our children in these trying times will be more difficult to pursue.”
 
“Parents must also do their part to help maintain a clean, safe and healthy environment in the school premises to help inspire our school teachers and personnel to do their jobs,” he added.

The Brigada Eskwela is an annual weeklong activity of the DepEd wherein it draws on community and private sector participation to prepare public schools and make them ready to welcome students for the opening of classes.

Traditionally, school personnel, parents, and communities, equipped with the help of stakeholders, physically go to schools to clean, paint, and do minor repairs.

However, Information Officer Cesar Bucsit of DepEd in Ilocos clarified that the traditional concept of Brigada Eskwela, which involves the physical cleaning, painting, repainting and minor repairs of schools, will still not happen this year amid the COVID pandemic.
 

"Considering the schools are being used in the preparation of the learning packets, including the picking up and returning of the same by the parents, physical cleaning and disinfection may be allowed during the two weeks before the opening of classes in public schools, depending on the prevailing local risk classification and community quarantine guidelines,” Bucsit said during the Serbisyo Publiko Media Forum of PIA-Ilocos Sur.

Brigada Eskwela 2021 will run from August 3 to September 30 while the opening of classes in public schools is set on September 13. (JCR/AMB/PIA Ilocos Sur)