Butuan Central ES champions the spirit of volunteerism
By ROLAN T. PELEGRO
The Department of Education (DepEd), in its commitment to ensure that education must continue amidst the challenges and uncertainties of face to face classes brought by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), shall formally open School Year (SY) 2021-2022.1 The Brigada Eskwela was implemented in preparation for the start of classes from August 3 until September 30, 2021, with a focus on collaboration and strengthening partnership engagements that complement DepEd efforts to implement the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) and ensure the delivery of quality basic education despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
The slogan of Brigada Eskwela, “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan” shall be adopted as the theme for this year to emphasize the country’s collective efforts in promoting collaboration for safe living and addressing social issues and concerns in schools, at homes, and in the community. The implementation of Brigada Eskwela shall comply with the required health standards, which include following social distancing measures and practicing proper hygiene consistent with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF) health protocols, Department of Health (DoH) health standards, local and national quarantine rules, and all other relevant protocols as detailed in DepEd and DepEd Task Force COVID-19 issuances.
In BCES, Brigada Eskwela kicked-off on August 23, 2021. With strict compliance to IATF, stakeholders’ volunteers to physical cleaning, painting, repainting, and doing minor repairs, disinfection of offices, classrooms, buildings, and the like. Moreover, the school also focused on the preparations on the reproduction of learning materials and linked to stakeholders – Local Government Unit (LGUs) or other non-government organizations (NGOs) for raising the availability of essentials such as hand sanitizing materials, medical devices and equipment, face masks, face shields, cleaning tools and materials used to disinfect the learning area, and even multivitamins capsules for DepEd personnel.
BCES also adhered to Brigada Pagbasa, as an after-school reading program that envisions bringing together education partners and experts to help all learners read and become functionally literate. The Brigada Pagbasa served as a platform to synergize efforts and resources to address education-related challenges especially on literacy and numeracy. This also created 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.
BCES also adhered to the implementation of Gulayan sa Tahanan or Urban Vegetable Gardening at home as part of Brigada Eskwela in School-Family-Community partnerships to promote sustainable food supply at homes, as well as communicating with stakeholders on how they can support the school emergency and contingency planning to ensure resiliency. Furthermore, the school hosted a psycho-social webinar for students, parents, and teachers on “Mental Health and Psychosocial Support for the New Normal” by Dr. Maria Olivia D. Bating and “Healthy Vision in Times of Pandemic” by Rowena O. Pabia, RN.
In terms of resources generated, BCES gained 1.8 million, representing a 12.5 percent increase over the previous year. As a result, BCES was awarded as the Brigada Eskwela Best Implementing School in the Butuan City Division. BCES truly is a home away from home and a champion of volunteerism.2 ###
[1] Department of Education. August 2, 2021. DepEd Memorandum N0.48, s.2021 on 2021 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines [2] SDO Butuan City. Best Implementing School 2021 of Brigada Eskwela
