PASIG CITY, May 31, 2020 – Kicking off on June 1, 2020, the Department of Education’s (DepEd) 2020 Brigada Eskwela (BE) and Oplan Balik Eskwela (OBE) initiatives are setting its first virtual launch to assist every school and stakeholder in their respective preparation for the upcoming school year.

For this year, the BE and OBE, the annual activities of DepEd to prepare for the opening of classes, were reconfigured to be locally implemented under the joint theme “Pagpapanatili ng Bayanihan Tungo sa Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Kabataan”, which will run on June 1 until August 29, 2020.

The joint OBE and BE national virtual kickoff program will be hosted by DepEd Region VI via Facebook and Youtube livestreaming on June 1, the first day of enrollment period for School Year 2020-2021.

Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones will give her keynote message and call to action for “Bayanihan sa Paaralan” while Undersecretaries Nepomuceno Malaluan, Alain Del Pascua, and Tonisito Umali, Esq. will present DepEd’s Basic Education-Learning Continuity Plan (LCP), DepEd Commons, and OBE-BE Framework and Action Plan, respectively.

Meanwhile, education advocates and partners including Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Senator Pia Cayetano, Congressman Roman Romulo, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, former Chief Justice Renato Puno, League of Provinces of the Philippines National Chairperson Dakila Carlo “Dax” Cua are scheduled to give their messages of support virtually.

Aimed at promoting sustainable and safe living, the reconfiguration of OBE and BE will highlight the application of knowledge and convergence of efforts to address health and social issues at home, in school and community relative to the new framework.

Brigada in the New Normal

Brigada Eskwela will deviate from the traditional concept of physical cleaning, painting, repainting, and doing minor repairs in schools and will instead prioritize preparations and strengthening partnership engagement to ensure that quality basic education will continue despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.

Stakeholders can support the initiative by donating thermal scanners; hand sanitizing equipment or materials; and printing of COVID-19 and sanitation/proper hand washing hygiene information materials to aid BE and OBE in introducing protection and health protocols to learners and teachers.

BE will also engage partners in the promotion and provision of learning options such as local radio and TV stations and other available media, and the printing of self-learning modules for distance learning, as a form of partnership to deliver the basic education curriculum in the time of COVID-19.

OBE as info drive for LCP

For the duration of the OBE initiative, Public Assistance Command Centers (PACC) will be set up at the central, regional, and schools division offices nationwide.

In partnership with BE, the OBE, headed by Undersecretary Jesse Lorenzo Mateo, will focus on an information campaign on the implementation of the LCP of the Department in light of the COVID-19 situation in the country.

OBE will ensure that every question from parents and learners in relation to new and adjusted DepEd policies, rules, and regulations on enrolment and class opening due to the COVID-19 situation will be addressed.

For queries and clarifications regarding the enrolment and other initiatives of the Department for the upcoming school year, please call telephone numbers (02) 8636-1663; (02) 8633-1942; mobile phone numbers 0919-456-0027; 0995-921-8461; or email at action@deped.gov.ph.

The public can also visit www.deped.gov.ph/obe-be for frequently asked questions about SY 2020-2021.