Cartoon by: Marco Dollison
Edited by: Kenjie-Aya Oyong
For so long, decorations around the classroom walls and perimeters have always been a part of living the life of a student. Decorations serve as a way for them to unleash their creativity and passion for the school and their surroundings within. In certain schools, a specific day is allocated for the sole purpose of decorating the classroom. In spite of that, the Department of Education (DepEd) released a memo regarding the conduct of the Brigada Eskwela Implementing Guidelines, wherein it was stated that under the maintenance of clean schools, classrooms and all their walls, and other school facilities should be clean from “unnecessary” artwork, decorations, tarpaulin, and posters at all times.
The DepEd Order No. 021, s. 2023 was officially released to the public on August 3, 2023. It was further specified in the memo that “classroom walls shall remain bare and devoid of posters, decorations, or other posted materials”. This implies that the walls of school facilities shall be plain and free of any decorations. For many students, following this memorandum will result in several repercussions. For instance, a higher degree of understanding that a student can attain will inevitably be lost, and their effort can’t be exerted to its fullest ability.
It was mentioned by DepEd that after they roamed around several classrooms and schools, they attested to their point that decorations are a form of distraction, most especially if they are already of age. Pictures of national heroes are also placed within the classroom walls as a form of decoration—a remembrance of their contributions—yet they still need to be removed. The aforementioned department also believes that it’s crucial for students to have a deep level of concentration for their studies which can be obtained further by the removal of decorations.
Although, different research studies concluded that it’s only partially correct, and suggested otherwise. This is due to the fact that decorations only become a distraction if and only if they are in vast amounts already. Moreover, removing decorations from the walls of school facilities is like taking away the opportunities for students to be clever, artistic, and original—and even the opportunity to learn.
This DepEd memorandum also fails to notice the fact that letting go of these decorations on walls creates a barrier for students that lets them think that they can’t learn through creative art materials. Moreover, if this persists, the students of future generations will be left with the belief that having decorations, no matter the purpose, is a distraction.
Without a doubt, decorations inside a classroom can also be considered as a medium for learning and growth; they also hold value for how the students interpret and react to their surroundings. These decorations also serve as visual aids for students to learn and comprehend their lessons easily. Likewise, students feel even more welcome with an ambiance greeting them as they walk inside the classroom when decorations are seen, motivating them to learn and participate in class actively.
Apart from that, the department should give its attention to more prominent matters that need to be dealt with such as the accessibility of education here in the Philippines. Classrooms in the Philippines are overcrowded, most especially in public schools. There is no point in having a clean classroom, free from decorations when students don't have enough space, a healthy and functional classroom environment to study in, or access to basic education to begin with. Furthermore, out of all distractions, decoration is unquestionably not ranked first, but rather hunger and stress, which are experienced by a lot of students and should be the top priority. Thus, why do we have to let go of decorations just because they are a form of distraction when we should focus more on giving students a wide range of learning opportunities that serve the purpose of what a school should really be.
Letting go of something that has always had a special place in our hearts as students poses a serious ultimatum to us because it is capable of withdrawing chances for students to gain proficiency at a certain level. A more suitable learning environment cannot be attained by removing class decorations, but by implementing ideas that will have a significant and more beneficial impact on our lives as students in the Philippines. DepEd should be exhausting its maximum potential by focusing on matters that affect learners the most, instead of wasting resources for things that will potentially place students at a disadvantage and can ultimately exacerbate the already rock-bottom state of the education system.