ACT welcomes removal of ‘Brigada Eskwela’ contest, calls for funds to prepare classrooms for school opening

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers welcomed the Department of Education’s announcement that there will no longer be a contest for the ‘Best Brigada Eskwela Implementers’ following numerous complaints that the competition forces teachers to solicit for school needs. However, the group called on the national government to provide funds to repair and prepare classrooms so that teachers will truly be no longer obligated to ask for donations or spend out-of-pocket for classroom needs before school opening.

“We recognize the Bayanihan spirit of encouraging and involving the local governments and communities in nurturing our schools, however, the duty of providing for education should not be passed on to them as they are already taxpayers who contributed for the delivery of basic social services. Kung hinihingian natin sila ng ambag, magkano ba ang ambag ng pamahalaan para ihanda ang mga silid-aralan bago magpasukan?” asked Vladimer Quetua, ACT Chairperson.

“The total DepEd budget for school maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) for 2023 is only P30.8 billion. For around 25 million learners in public schools today, this would only yield a budget of P1,232 per learner for the whole year to cover minor classroom repairs, equipment and supplies, electric and water bills, special events, and other operational expenses. Hindi na talaga iyan nakakaabot sa antas ng classroom dahil kulang na kulang pa para tustusan ang mga panlahatang gastos ng paaralan,” explained Quetua, ACT Chairperson.

“Now, the problem of repainting classrooms, repairing doors or windows; comfort rooms; blackboards, or buying electric fans and other equipment is left on the class adviser and the parents. Given the dire economic situation of our learners’ families, class advisers are forced to spend their meager salaries just so that our learners will have conducive learning spaces,” lamented Quetua.

“Hiling namin na doblehin ang school MOOE para makaabot naman ang pondo sa antas classroom at hindi ma-obliga ang mga guro na manghingi sa iba o gumastos ng sariling pera. The removal of the Brigada competition should be partnered with the allotment and release of sufficient funds for school opening preparation for its to be a really impactful reform,” concluded Quetua.

Source: ACT
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