The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that it would suspend honoring the best public school maintenance program implementers for this academic year after various "problems and concerns" were expressed regarding the conduct of its national "Brigada Eskwela" campaign.
"There will be no certificates of recognition given to school heads and teachers, which have corresponding points for outstanding accomplishments for the purpose of promotion and office/individual performance," an excerpt from Memorandum No. 20, s. 2023 released by the department.
The memorandum was published on the agency's website only last week, despite having been issued last month.
According to the revised Brigada Eskwela policy, all participating public elementary and secondary schools will be given certificates of appreciation for their participation and cooperation with the campaign's supporters, according to Education Undersecretary Revsee Escobedo.
The superintendents of the school's division, however, will be free to "use their sound discretion" in deciding how to honor the schools that have implemented the program admirably.
The Brigada Eskwela, or National Schools Maintenance Week initiative, was first introduced in 2003 and encouraged public schools to collaborate with nearby communities and groups from the public and private sectors to complete small to medium repairs weeks before the start of courses.
Meanwhile, by DepEd's Department Order No. 24, the campaign was formalized in 2008, becoming an annual initiative and a constant fixture of the academic year.
