Amid a barrage of criticisms, the Department of Education (DepEd) has firmly stood by its decision to declutter classrooms of “unnecessary” materials, aiming to help students direct their attention primarily to the lessons and the teachers during class sessions.
On August 22, 2023, Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School teachers in Malate, Manila, were seen taking down classroom decorations. This came after Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte’s directive which mandated the removal of classroom adornments that include traditional educational posters and other visual teaching aids. The move is part of DepEd Order No. 21 or the 2023 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines.
“The order is what it is,” Duterte remarked, emphasizing the importance of reducing distractions and enabling students to zero in on their studies.
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The 2023 Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines highlight the “maintenance of clean schools.” The instructions are clear: keep school premises, including classrooms and their walls, “clean and free from unnecessary artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, and posters at all times.” Additionally, the order dictates the removal of “oversized signages with commercial advertisements, words of sponsorships, endorsements or announcements of any kind or nature.”
Duterte further elaborated in a statement relayed by DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson Michael Poa, “Classrooms and rooms should be clean and functional,” and made a pointed reference to historical figures, saying, “I know that President Marcos and all other former presidents, Jose Rizal and all heroes past and present, will not all be bothered if learners focus on their teachers, lessons, projects, and assignments.”
Furthermore, DepEd emphasized that classrooms are not meant to be storage rooms; they should not be cluttered with unused or disposable items.
However, the decision has sparked a whirlwind of reactions from various stakeholders, with many educators expressing concerns and seeking clarifications.
The Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) voiced their concerns, urging DepEd to expound on its “bare classrooms” policy. TDC’s statement released on August 20 expressed a need for a clearer understanding of the policy. They acknowledged the intention behind the order but emphasized classroom posters’ significant educational role, especially for younger students. They stated, “As younger children who struggled in public schools, most of us learned the basic concepts partly from the posters and charts displayed in our classrooms.”
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In light of the ongoing debate, TDC has called on the DepEd to provide a more comprehensive guideline detailing “what is and is not necessary” in the classroom context, considering the potential educational benefits of certain materials.
Only time will tell how this directive will impact the learning environment and whether adjustments will be made in response to the feedback received.
