perspective!

Adapting to changing education

Niña M. Catacutan Department of Education officials have encouraged educators and stakeholders to strive for innovation and transformation to adapt to the changing education and learning environments and needs in the 21st century – going with what they have, what they can do, and what they are able to achieve. According to officials, everyone must innovate and act together amid the pandemic. In line with this, the DepEd is gearing up for the upcoming school year with the kick-off of the annual Brigada Eskwela, highlighting the need to “learn from the past” and do something different from the one year of dealing with the impact of pandemic. DepEd officials also encouraged everyone to get ready and do what needs to be done, and to not be afraid. With the slogan “Bayanihan para sa Paaralan,” this year’s National Brigada Eskwela, which will run from August 3 to September 30, 2021, focuses on the preparations and partnership activities that will support the implementation of the Basic EducationLearning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) including the multiple learning delivery modalities. Unlike the traditional Brigada Eskwela, this year’s program will focus on partnerships to strengthen the implementation of various blended learning modalities and support initiatives for schools, teachers, and learners, officials said. In light of the ongoing pandemic, Brigada Eskwela will reinforce theBrigadaPagbasainitiative,whichaimstostrengthenlearners readingproficiency, and the Home Learning Spaces project, which seeks to engage parents and partners to create impactful and functional learning spaces at home to foster academic ease. The Department also encourages schools to include WASH in Schools (WINS) and Disaster Preparedness in their partnerships. Meanwhile, aside from the Brigada Eskwela Best Implementing Schools, SDOs will also award special awards such as the Best School-Community-Hope Partnerships, Best Home Learning Spaces, Best Partnership Engagement Activity, BestBrigadaEskwelaCollaborationattheSchoolDistrict,andMostPreparedSchool. ***** The author is Teacher II Bulac Elementary School