Brigada Eskwela has always been a tough yet fun part of the back-to-school season. It’s the time when everyone gathers together and helps in every way they can just to create a healthy and suitable environment for learning. The time when facilities are being prepared for the benefit of the learners.

But because of some unexpected circumstances, it is expected to be a lot more different from what it used to be. From the donation drives up to the actual preparation of facilities, everything will definitely be challenging.

First reason as to why this statement is real is that there are no certainties of when and how the school year will start. This can cause either a delay or a surprise which can both lead to unstable planning. To start early can cause inconvenience since strict social distancing measures is being implemented. While a late start can lead to hastiness.

Next, the donations won’t be as plentiful as it was before because everyone went through lockdowns. Some suffered financial crises while others had allotted their budgets in donations and charity works during the pandemic. Since this is a primary source of Brigada Eskwela fund, it could be hard to provide the needed supplies especially now that it just doubled due to health reasons.

In addition, the workload will double since aside from the usual cleaning and beautification process, sanitation and health inspection must be observed strictly as well. The safety of every child that will be within the school premises must be ensured especially since most of the classrooms of public schools served as quarantine facilities. While, on the other hand, the number of expected participants will go lower in fear of the virus.

If there is a new normal in learning, then there has to be a new normal in preparation for it. All it takes is concrete planning and implementation. Despite the drawbacks of this year’s Brigada Eskwela, it will somehow teach us some valuable disciplines as well.

For instance, teachers and staffs will be a lot more resourceful than before. The main point will solely be to prepare a healthy and clean environment for students to learn without any concerns. This time, even the problem regarding the breeding places of harmful insects will be solved. One which rural schools have been struggling about for a long time. This time, the limited budget will be allocated only for the purpose of providing a sickness-free environment.

This isn’t turning a blind eye to the problems. There are tons of shortcomings to face in order to push learning through this crisis. Turning a blind eye to the good things will give us no reason to go on anymore.

We have been doing this for years to ensure quality learning and we always succeed. We just have to do the same this time but with extra care and limited resources. The goal doesn’t change. It’s still for the learners.