The Department of Education (DepEd) has released the implementing guidelines for the 2021 Brigada Eskwela Program to ensure that education must continue amidst the challenges and uncertainties of face to face classes brought by Corona Virus Disease 2019.This comes as President Rodrigo Duterte approved the opening of School Year 2021-2022 on September 13 as recommended by Education Secretary Leonor Briones.

"In preparation for the opening of classes, the Brigada Eskwela Program shall be implemented from August 3 to September 30, 2021, with focus on collaboration and strengthening partnership engagements that complement DepEd efforts to implement the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BELCP) and to ensure the delivery of quality basic education notwithstanding the Covid-19 pandemic," as said in the memo posted on the DepEd website.

The slogan for this year’s conduct of Brigada Eskwela “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan” highlights 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 National Kick off Program was launched through a virtual program Last August 3, the implementation of BE includes the engagement of stakeholders and addressing problems, queries and other concerns in preparation for the start of classes.

"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 [for the Management of] Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) 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," Briones explained in the memo.

Briones, however, 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. "However, considering that 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," she said.

Briones added, "If allowed, the schools shall strictly comply with protocols on social distancing and implement precautionary measures consistent with the IATF health protocols and DoH protection protocols, local quarantine rules and all other relevant protocols provided in DepEd and DepEd Task Force Covid-19 issuances."

Teaching personnel are entitled to earn vacation service credits arising from their active involvement as member of the Brigada Eskwela working committees and/or voluntary services in the Brigada Eskwela activities, including engagement in the Brigada Pagbasa.

A part of Brigada Eskwela, Brigada Pagbasa is an after-school reading program that brings together education partners and experts to help learners read and become functionally literate.

"The Brigada Pagbasa will serve as a platform to synergize efforts and resources to address education-related challenges especially on literacy and numeracy. It will also create 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," DepEd said.