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ILOILO CITY, June 23, 2022 – The Department of Education, through its External Partnerships Service (EPS), recognized the best implementers of Brigada Eskwela for Academic Year 2020-21 during the 2021 National Brigada Eskwela Awards held on June 20, 2022, at the Iloilo Convention Center in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. The program was hosted by DepEd Region VI.

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis-Briones, in her keynote speech, said that Brigada Eskwela is an opportunity to address the learning resource gaps and prepare the schools for the start of classes.

“A beautiful learning environment enhances the learning process for our children. Sa Brigada Eskwela walang naiiwan. Lahat sama-sama para sa iisang layunin at ito ay ang tulungan ng ating mga mag-aaral at mga guro,” Secretary Briones said.

The 2021 National Brigada Eskwela Awards recognized 130 schools from the 16 regions under different school categories namely Small School, Medium School, Large School, and Mega School categories for both Elementary and Secondary Levels. Several special awards such as Best Home Learning Spaces, Best School Community Home Partnerships, Best Brigada Eskwela Collaboration, Best Partnership Engagement Activity, and Most Prepared School were also given to schools and their respective school heads and partnership coordinators.

The said program highlighted the support and contribution of education stakeholders, especially private sector and government and community partners, to the success of the Brigada Eskwela and the Department’s Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP).

“This is a celebration of partnership. Atin pong ipinagbubunyi, ipinagdidiriwang, at kinikilala ang mahalagang papel na ginagampanan ng ating mga partners para matupad ang ating mga pangarap,” Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, Project Management Service, and Private Education Office Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq., CESO I said applauding the efforts of DepEd’s partner in the success of various DepEd programs.

Meanwhile, DepEd Region VI Regional Director Dr. Ramir B. Uytico emphasized inclusivity in education is innovative in Western Visayas and highlighted the importance of education across the academic sector.

“We always believe every child is a champion in DepEd VI. An indigenous child is a champion, an ALS learner is a champion, and a child with special needs is a champion,” Regional Director Uytico noted. According to RD Uytico, Brigada Eskwela is not just a one-shot activity but a whole year activity to ensure that learners’ needs are given utmost priority.

In 2021, a total of 6.7 billion resources were generated and man hours gathered for the entire country in supporting the needs of the Department for the Brigada Eskwela implementation.

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