By CESAR JOLITO III

The Department of Education’s Negros Occidental Schools Division will simultaneously launch the Brigada Eskwela and Oplan Balik Eskwela programs on Monday, June 1 as part of preparations for the opening of classes on June 8.

Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine Sales said the weeklong activity aims to ensure schools are ready for the resumption of face-to-face classes, especially following the damage caused by typhoons that hit the province last year.

Sales acknowledged that several classrooms across the division remain in need of repair after recent calamities, noting that only around 10 percent of the damaged facilities have so far been addressed by the department.

Due to the shortage of classrooms, some school principals have implemented alternative learning arrangements, including shifting schedules and a combination of face-to-face and synchronous learning delivery modes conducted in students’ homes.

The division has yet to determine the exact percentage of classroom shortages under its jurisdiction, according to Sales.

In the previous school year, enrollment in the Negros Occidental schools division reached nearly 300,000 students.

Updated enrollment figures for the upcoming school year are expected to be finalized next week.

Brigada Eskwela is an annual nationwide initiative that encourages volunteers, parents, teachers, and community stakeholders to help prepare public schools before the opening of classes.

Oplan Balik Eskwela serves as the department’s assistance and monitoring program for learners and parents./CJ, WDJ