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2021 Brigada Eskwela School Safety and Preparedness Guide

2021 Brigada Eskwela Logo

The Department of Education (DepEd), in its commitment to ensuring that education must continue amidst the challenges and uncertainties of face-to-face classes brought by COVID-19, shall formally open SY 2021-2022. Since the country is still in a state of public health emergency under Proclamation No. 922, s. 2020, and/or in a state of calamity under Proclamation Nos. 929 and 1021, S. 2020. DepEd has announced as approved by the President that the school opening for S.Y. 2021-2022 is on September 13, 2021.

In preparation for the opening of classes, the Brigada Eskwela Program shall be implemented from August 3 to September 30, 2021, with a focus on collaboration and strengthening partnership engagements that complement DepEd’s efforts to implement the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) and ensure the delivery of quality basic education notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic.The slogan of Brigada Eskwela, “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan” shall be adopted as the theme for this year, promoting collaboration for safe living and addressing social issues and concerns in schools, at homes and in the community.

The Brigada Eskwela Program is one of the most important programs in DepEd. In the spirit of bayanihan, private institutions/individuals, government agencies, local government units and other organizations contribute to DepEd campaign to ensure accessible and quality basic education. The components of the program are the following:

a. Brigada Eskwela (National Schools Maintenance Week);

b. Brigada Eskwela Plus(Partnership Support for Access), and;

c. Brigada Pagbasa (Partnership Support for Quality Education).

School heads (SHs) shall take the lead role in planning the activities geared on making schools ecologically conscious, resilient, clean, and conducive to learning. No Brigada Eskwela fee shall be collected from parents or solicited from other volunteers.

The Brigada Eskwela shall focus on preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that learning continues even in the time of COVID-19. The activities shall highlight partnership initiatives that complement the Department’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) among other efforts to ensure quality basic education that will despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 situation while the vaccine is not guaranteed yet for all including the learners in public schools.

The traditional concept of Brigada Eskwela, which involves physical cleaning, painting, repainting, and doing minor repairs, will still not happen during the Brigada Eskwela implementation period this year. However, considering our schools are being used in the preparation of our learning packets, including the picking up and returning of the same by our 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. If allowed, the schools shall strictly comply with protocols on social distancing and implement precautionary measures consistent with the IATF health protocols, DOH protection protocols, local quarantine rules, and all other relevant protocols provided in DepEd and DepEd Task Force COVID-19 issuances.

SOURCE (DM 353, s. 2021):

CARLEEN S. SEDILLA, CESE
Officer-in-Charge
OIC-Schools Division Superintendent

Brigada Eskwela School Safety and Preparedness Guide

In view of the implementation of the 2021 Brigada Eskwela, this School Safety and Preparedness Guide is issued to provide guidance to schools and education partners in ensuring the safety and preparedness of our learners and personnel before, during, and after emergencies. Enumerated below is a list of recommended activities that may contribute to a safer school. School Heads need to identify which of those listed below are most appropriate and important for their schools. The School Head may also identify other measures that may add up to this list.

I. SAFE LEARNING FACILITIES

  1. Facilitate the assessment of school building structure and electrical wiring and make necessary repairs and/or upgrades to prevent unnecessary incidents.
  2. Repair minor classroom damages such as broken windows, doors, blackboard, roofs and other furniture, etc.
  3. Install appropriate and available fire suppression, including fire extinguishers, water source and relevant indigenous materials.
  4. Ensure that corridors and pathways are unobstructed and that all sharp, protruding objects which may cause harm to learners are removed.
  5. Clean and clear drainage to prevent clogging. Cover drainage canals and provide necessary warnings.
  6. Cordon off and post safety signage for on-going construction, unfinished, damaged and condemned buildings.
  7. Secure cabinets and drawers and ensure that heavy objects are below head level.
  8. Post safety measures to be observed in laboratories, and workshops, and other facilities requiring the same.
  9. Prepare an evacuation/exit plan and post directional signage on every floor of the building.
  10. Identify evacuation areas and classrooms that may be used as temporary shelters during disasters and emergencies.
  11. Prune trees to avoid entanglement from electrical wirings and avoid potential harm to life and property.

II. SCHOOL DISASTER MANAGEMENT

  1. Post a directory of emergency contact numbers of relevant government agencies and officers in various high traffic areas of the school.
  2. Establish and maintain early warning mechanisms in the school.
  3. Equip school with first aid kits, flashlights, megaphones, and other supplies necessary in cases of emergency. Ensure that these items are highly accessible and can be easily located.
  4. Identify alternative sources and/or maintain supply of drinking water within the school.
  5. Ensure that learners, teachers, and personnel have identification cards with relevant information.
  6. Create database of learners with the contact details of their immediate family members/relatives/guardians.
  7. Secure and safely store vital school records.
  8. Coordinate with barangay officials on pedestrian safety of learners.
  9. Document accidents experienced by learners and personnel within the school to improve prevention and mitigation measures.

III. RISK REDUCTION AND RESILIENCE EDUCATION

  1. Identify a storage area for safekeeping of vital schools records, textbooks, teaching manuals, computers, and other school equipment.

References:

International Finance Corporation (no date) Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Guidance for Schools, (IFC World Bank).

Department of Education (2015 DRRM in Basic Education Framework PowerPoint p rese ntation)

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Mark Anthony Llego

Mark Anthony Llego, from the Philippines, has significantly influenced the teaching profession by enabling thousands of teachers nationwide to access essential information and exchange ideas. His contributions have enhanced their instructional and supervisory abilities. Moreover, his articles on teaching have reached international audiences and have been featured on highly regarded educational websites in the United States.

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