Gawain Brigada: Proposed Activities in Maximizing Parents' Attendance and Participation in Brigada Eskwela Implementation at Benigna Dimatatac Memorial Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Every educational institution is tasked to provide a conducive, safe and child-friendly learning environment to its learners. One of the ways to fulfill this task is through the Brigada Eskwela or the National Schools Maintenance Week. Despite the Department of Education and every school's efforts to maximize parents' participation and attendance in the Brigada Eskwela implementation, records show that there is a low percentage of parents' participation and attendance in the program. At Benigna Dimatatac Memorial Elementary School, it is noticeable that more parents came only during the first day of Brigada Eskwela implementation. Moreover, the researchers also observed that there were some parents who just came to school for attendance. Realizing this scenario, the researchers aimed to find out the reasons for parents' non-attendance and non-participation in Brigada Eskwela implementation. The researchers also came up with proposed activities for maximizing parents' attendance and participation in the annual Brigada Eskwelaimplementation.

METHODS

This study employed a descriptive method of research which aimed to identify the reasons for parents' non-attendance and non-participation in the Brigada Eskwela implementation. The researchers used three (3) data gathering procedures namely: non-structured interview, focused group discussion and survey questionnaire. Baseline data were also gathered to support the study. One hundred four (104) parents responded to the survey questionnaire administered by the researchers.

RESULTS

There is a low percentage of parents' attendance and participation in Brigada Eskwela at Benigna Dimatatac Memorial Elementary School. The reasons for parents' non-attendance and non-participation in Brigada Eskwela implementation are the following: 1) their busy schedule; 2) the need to take care of their children; 3) plenty of household chores to be done; and 4) their negative attitudes towards the activity. Different activities were proposed in order to maximize parents attendance and participation in the Brigada Eskwela Implementation.

DISCUSSIONS

The results suggest that full implementation of the proposed activities in maximizing parents' attendance and participation in Brigada Eskwela needs to be conducted in order to increase the percentage of parents' attendance and participation. This is to make sure that the objectives of Brigada Eskwela are achieved and the daily planned activities during Brigada Eskwela implementation are carried out.