DepEd Secretary orders removal of wall decorations in classrooms

In a recent move to prioritize students’ concentration on their lessons, Vice President and Department of Education Secretary, Sara Duterte, has emphasized the removal of posters, tarpaulins, and other unnecessary artwork from classrooms. This directive comes ahead of the commencement of classes this month.

DepEd Order No. 21, Series of 2023 Duterte’s recent issuance, DepEd Order No. 21, Series of 2023, serves as the implementing guidelines for the Brigada Eskwela initiative. The policy mandates that school facilities, including classrooms and walls, remain free from extraneous artwork, decorations, and posters. Furthermore, the policy states, “Classroom walls should remain unadorned, and classrooms must not store unused or disposable items.”

Brigada Eskwela Initiative in Bansalan On August 17, during a Brigada Eskwela event in Bansalan, Davao del Sur, Duterte was observed removing various classroom decorations, including her official portrait. This move, however, sparked confusion among educators, many of whom have traditionally used posters and educational materials to enhance the learning environment.

The MATATAG Curriculum Addressing the decline in young learners’ reading and writing abilities, Duterte introduced the MATATAG Curriculum. This revised version of the K-10 program aims to rectify previous shortcomings and revitalize students’ interest in reading and writing. During the Philippine Book Festival, Duterte highlighted the program’s goal to provide learners with accurate and culturally relevant reading materials.

Security Measures for School Opening In related news, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced that approximately 32,000 officers would be deployed to ensure the safety of students, parents, teachers, and other school staff during the school opening on August 29. PNP spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, assured that all necessary precautions are in place, with police officers also assisting in areas affected by recent natural calamities.