By Neil A Alcober/Manila Times
The Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday reminded public schools across the country to prepare simple graduation rites next month.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said this year’s graduation rites will focus on the theme “Hindi Natitinag ang Pusong Pilipino,” to pay homage to the resilience of the Filipino spirit and its triumph over the recent string of calamities over the school year.
According to the DepEd school calendar for school year 2013-2014, the graduation rites will be scheduled either on March 27 or 28.
For regions or schools divisions, who have extended their academic year due to natural or man-made calamities, the rites should be scheduled based on their respective revised school calendars as approved by DepEd.
Luistro reminded schools about the “no extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue” guideline to maintain the solemnity of the occasion by remaining frugal and simple.
He said graduation rites should not be exercised in splurging and for display of pomp and pageantry but should be simple affairs that exhort civic duties, sense of community and personal responsibilities. It should be memorable, exciting and animated without baggage of extra cost and excessive spending.
“While the graduation rites mark a milestone in every learner, we should keep it prudent and economical. Extravagant attires and venues are not necessary to make an impression; the important thing is we send the message of nationalism, excellence and resilience to every graduate,” Luistro said.
Luistro also said non-academic activities such as attendance at field trips and JS Promenade should not be imposed as a prerequisite to graduation.
The education department also reiterated that while Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs) may opt to give cash or in-kind donations, public school personnel are not allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution to any student at any grade or year level.
In a separate regional memorandum released by DepEd Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) director Luisa Yu, conduct of JS Promenades and other closing activities has been discouraged, to prevent disruption of classes and to spare students and parents from additional financial burden.
It was also communicated that graduation rites in Region 8 should be held in the simplest way possible. Yu directed division officials to monitor compliance in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) also called on school and field officials to abide by the DepEd rules on graduation rites.
Benjo Basas, the group’s national chairman, said his organisation agrees with the department on regulating graduation fees and extravagant rites especially if it is imposed by the school authorities.
“Graduation, while considered as special day for most of the students and parents should not be extravagant and burdensome,” Basas said.
