LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — As the academic year approaches, the Department of Education (DepEd) has set the schedule for the annual Brigada Eskwela, a nationwide initiative aimed at preparing public school facilities for millions of returning learners. According to DepEd Memorandum No. 027, s. 2026, the program will run from June 1 to 5.
This year’s iteration, themed “Bayanihan sa Paaralan: Nagkakaisa para sa Kaayusan at Kaalaman,” seeks to cultivate “clean, safe, resilient, and learner-friendly environments.” Beyond traditional maintenance, the 2026 program places a dual emphasis on infrastructure improvement and literacy development.
A Culture of Participation
The program operates on a community-based model, mobilizing teachers, parents, local government units, and private partners. The implementation process is divided into three stages: pre-implementation, implementation, and post-implementation. During the months leading up to the event, schools conduct thorough assessments of their facilities, prioritizing repairs based on urgency and their potential impact on the learning environment. This includes inspecting electrical wiring, roofs, sanitation systems, and structural resilience against hazards like typhoons and earthquakes.
Once the official week begins, the focus shifts to hands-on tasks such as cleaning, painting, and repairs. While the program relies on donations of materials and volunteer services, DepEd maintains strict guidelines: participation must remain voluntary. Schools are prohibited from requiring contributions from parents or students, and personnel are barred from soliciting fees in exchange for academic advantages.
The Debate Over Funding
Despite the program’s long-standing role in school readiness, it remains a subject of debate. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines has expressed concerns regarding the financial burden often placed on educators. In a statement released on May 29, the group argued that teachers should not have to use their own money to cover maintenance costs or ensure classrooms are well-ventilated.
“Sa mundo ng mga dapat, hindi humuhugot mula sa sariling bulsa si teacher para sa pagkukumpuni ng mga sira at pagsisiguro na well-ventilated ang silid-aralan,” the group stated. The organization emphasized that the education sector, which received a P1.34 trillion budget under the 2026 General Appropriations Act, should ideally provide sufficient resources to eliminate the reliance on individual contributions.
Looking Ahead
As schools move toward the post-implementation phase, they will be required to submit detailed accomplishment reports to document the partnerships established and resources generated. All donations must be recorded in strict accordance with government accounting rules.
Looking forward, the success of this year’s Brigada Eskwela may depend on how well schools balance the need for infrastructure upgrades with the availability of volunteer support. If the current trends in resource mobilization continue, schools may successfully meet their facility goals; however, the ongoing calls for increased government funding suggest that the tension between relying on community-led bayanihan and the need for standardized state-funded maintenance could persist in future academic cycles.
