Public schools across the country are now preparing for the upcoming back-to-school season through the annual "Brigada Eskwela," which will run from Monday, June 9, to Friday, June 13.
In an interview with DZRH on Sunday, Dr. Joel Torrecampo, Schools Division Superintendent of Pasay City and Officer-in-Charge of the Office of the Assistant Regional Director (OIC-ARD) of Department of Education-National Capital Region (DepEd-NCR), said this year's Brigada Eskwela carries the theme "Brigada Eskwela: Sama-Sama sa Bayang Bumabasa," as stated in DepEd Memorandum No. 42, series of 2025.
According to Torrecampo, this year's Brigada will highlight stronger participation from various stakeholders, especially in efforts to improve the reading skills of students.
"Kasama na rin na matingnan 'yung mga datos... profile — una sa Region pababa sa Division at sa kaniya-kaniyang mga paaralan. Hindi lang paglilinis ngayon pero ngayon mas binibigyang-diin ang reading skills at health ng mga mag-aaral," Torrecampo noted.
Along with Brigada Eskwela, Torrecampo explained that teachers will assist students who need help with reading comprehension through DepEd's summer program.
"Sa Regional Office may mga programa rin sila katulad ng sa website na puwedeng ma-download 'yung mga reading materials at mga iba't ibang subject areas para tuloy-tuloy 'yung pag-aaral ng ating mga mag-aaral," he added.
Torrecampo said that divisions and schools are now more prepared, noting that the shortage of teachers has already been addressed.
The official opening of Brigada Eskwela will take place at Jose Rizal Elementary School in Pasay City. It will be attended by Regional Director Assistant Secretary Jocelyn Andaya, other undersecretaries from the DepEd Central Office representing Secretary Sonny Angara, Superintendents, reading specialists, along with several local government officials.
The Pasay local government unit (LGU) will also distribute shoes, bags, school supplies, hygiene kits for students, and cleaning materials for schools.
Under DepEd Memorandum No. 42, the solicitation of cash contributions is not allowed. Instead, donations must be in kind.
