Brigada Eskwela: A Teacher's Guide to Preparation, Forms, and Partnerships
Brigada Eskwela is DepEd's National Schools Maintenance Week, held before class opening, where teachers, parents, and community partners volunteer to prepare schools for the new year. Teachers help organize work plans, log volunteers and donations, and document activities using official Brigada forms.
What actually happens during Brigada
Schools mobilize volunteers for cleaning, repairs, repainting, and campus preparation in the week before classes open. Beyond the physical work, Brigada is a stakeholder-engagement program: partnerships built here often carry through the school year as sponsors for reading corners, feeding programs, and classroom needs.
The teacher's usual responsibilities
- Preparing the classroom work plan and materials list.
- Recording volunteer attendance and donations in the official forms.
- Coordinating with the Brigada Eskwela committee on schedules and safety.
- Documenting before-and-after photos for the school report.
Good documentation here doubles as evidence for community-involvement objectives in your RPMS portfolio.
Engaging partners without awkwardness
Prepare a one-page classroom needs list with specific items and quantities. Local businesses respond better to concrete asks (“2 gallons of paint”) than open-ended requests. Follow up with thank-you letters — templates in our certificates and letters guide save time.
Preparing your own classroom
Use Brigada week to set up systems, not just aesthetics: your seating plan, class record, and classroom displays ready before day one means a calmer first week.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brigada Eskwela mandatory for teachers?
Teachers participate as part of school preparation activities, with schedules set by the school. Check your school memo for reporting arrangements.
Can parents be required to donate?
No. Brigada contributions are voluntary. Schools may invite support but cannot impose mandatory fees or donations.
When is Brigada Eskwela held?
It is scheduled in the days or week leading up to the opening of classes, with exact dates announced yearly by DepEd.