BRIGADA ESKWELA IN THE NEW NORMAL

BRIGADA ESKWELA IN THE NEW NORMAL

By: Emmily A. Saez

               A call to action for “ Bayanihan sa Paaralan” amid COVID 19 situation is a battle cry set by the Department of Education for this year’s Brigada Eskwela 2020. Brigada Eskwela will deviate from the usual activities in the previous years, instead it will prioritize preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that quality education will continue despite the challenges posed by the pandemic that has wreaked havoc not only in the country but the entire world. Relative to the COVID-19 outbreak, the office of the President has issued Proclamation #922 s. 2020 declaring a state of public health emergency all throughout the Philippines. The Executive Secretary has also released a memo entitled “ Enhanced Community Quarantine” ( ECQ ) over the entire Luzon and further guidelines for the management of the CORONA Virus.

               Pasay City South High School with the leadership of the dynamic principal, Mrs. Emilia L. Tolentino has initiated the implementation of the new normal in this year’s Brigada Eskwela 2020 together with the collaborative efforts of the Brigada Coordinator and Technical Working Committee.

                Kicking off on July 11, 2020 Pasay City South High School set off its first virtual launch with the theme “ Pagpapanatili ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Kabataan” with no other than the SDS Loreta B. Torrecampo delivering her message and inspiring the teachers to adjust to the new framework.

                  Due to pandemic the activities for Brigada Eskwela were reconfigured to cope up with the challenges posed by COVID 19. As early as March, the Brigada Eskwela working Committee was already organized but due to the threat of pandemic, Brigada Activities was freeze. It was on June 1 that DepEd revised the guidelines and came up with BE and OBE initiatives to assist with the preparation of the upcoming school year, it was then that the technical working group was formed through a virtual meeting and pushed through with the plan of actions.

During the preparation; letter of invitations was drafted then possible partners are identified after. To further promote and scout for stakeholders, infomercial through social media were prepared; meeting and consultations with stakeholders and partners were intensified.

Uploading promotional and advocacy campaigns on social media platforms were posted. All throughout the duration of the campaign an overwhelming result were achieved. 

      Stakeholders who expressed willingness the initiative were requested to donate thermal scanners, hand sanitizing equipment, face masks, face shields, disinfecting chemicals, personal protective equipment, and other materials needed to alleviate the threat of the virus.   Stakeholders pledged to sustain the needs of the school in terms of health and safety, quality education, access to learning governance and partnership in the new normal in basic education through collaboration and involvement as part of their corporate social responsibility and in the spirit of Bayanihan and volunteerism to improve the learner’s academic performance.  

           In this trying time, we converge as one in realizing the vision and mission of the Department of Education. We are one in transpiring the dream of every learner.