The Department of Education (Deped) 11 reminded public schools to observe simple yet meaningful end-of-school year rites such as moving up, recognition, and graduation exercises.
DepEd regional spokesperson Jenielito “Dodong” Atillo, during the Madayaw Davao aired via 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday, June 16, said, “Kining kalihukan kabahin niini nagsunod sa mando nga dapat simple lang, austere, dili extravagant sa ceremony. Kinahanglan tutok sa tumong, duna’y sanctity ang aktibidad, dili himuong commercialized (These events should follow the order that the ceremony should be simple, austere, and not extravagant. It should be focused on the goal, the activity should have sanctity and it should not be commercialized).”
“Kining kalihukan kinahanglan dapat simple lang and then meaningful. No excessive spending, no extra attire nga murag nag JS promenade, or extra venue nga muadto sa resort o swimming pool, bawal kaayo na (These activities should be simple and meaningful. No excessive spending, no extra attire that looks like you’re on the JS promenade, or extra venues like a resort or swimming pool, it’s forbidden),” he said.
Atillo also said that wearing simple attire, such as school uniforms, is the best since the parents won’t have to spend extra expenses. As long as it does not defeat the sacredness of the ceremony, wearing simple during the end-of-school-year rites is encouraged, he added.
Wearing togas, according to him, is up to the school management, parents, and students to agree.
The Deped official said, “Ang importante diha, magsabot mo. For Deped, simple ra gyud, pwede ra uniporme. Kung mag toga, it would entail another gasto sa atong mga ginikanan. Magsabot lang gyud kung gusto mo mag-toga (The important thing is that you agree with each other. For Deped, it’s really simple, you can just wear a uniform. The toga would entail another expense for our parents. Just agree if you want to wear a toga).”
The end-of-school-year rites for public schools will start from July 10 to 14, with regular classes ending by July 11. These include: moving up ceremonies or completion exercises for kindergarten and Grade 10 and graduation ceremonies for Grades 6 and 12.
Some private schools, however, already held their end-of-school-year activities starting late May or early June this year.
Attilo said private schools were given the authority and autonomy to conduct their recognition and graduation ceremonies according to their preference. CIO
