MANILA, Feb. 25 (PNA) — This year‘s graduation rites in private and public elementary and secondary schools should be kept solemn, simple, prudent and economical, according to Department of Education – DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro who said on Tuesday that such occasion should fall on March 27 or 28.
At the same time, Luistro said that schools and regions which have to conduct makeup classes due to calamities last year may schedule their graduation day based on their respective revised school calendars with the approval of DepED.
The DepEd chief said that while graduation marks a milestone on learning, it should not be extravagant in attires and venues to spare parents of additional burden.
All private and public elementary and secondary schools nationwide are expected to strictly comply with the requirements for graduation, he added.
Non-academic activities such as attendance to field trips and Junior-Senior Promenade should not be imposed as a prerequisite to graduation.
DepEd also reiterates 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 from any student at any grade or year level.
Luistro said this year’s theme for graduation rites through DepEd Order No. 9 s. 2014 focuses on “Hindi Natitinag ang Pusong Pilipino” in homage to the resilience of the Filipino spirit and its triumphs over the recent string of calamities it conquered over the school year. (source: Philippine News Agency)