ILOILO City – The Department of Education (DepEd) central office is allowing limited face-to-face graduation in schools in Alert Level 1 and 2 areas.
DepEd Region 6 welcomed the announcement but stressed the need for guidelines to ensure the safety of students, teachers and parents.
“Nagahulat kita sang official memorandum order for the end-of-school-year rites for school year 2021-2022,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., information officer of DepEd-6.
In a recent press conference in Metro Manila, Education secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said: “With the continuous downward trend of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and easing of restrictions, we are allowing the conduct of limited face-to-face and virtual graduation, depending on the alert level status in each region.”
Region 6 is under Alert Level 1 although three provinces remain under Alert Level 2 – Iloilo, Antique and Negros Occidental. The rest of the region’s provinces (including cities and towns) are under Alert Level 1.
For schools in Alert Level 3, 4, and 5, on the other hand, DepEd said it will only allow virtual end-of-school-year rites.
“Nakita sang central office nga naga-improve na ang cases sang COVID-19 sa bug-os nga Pilipinas, indi mahimu nga indi matigayon ang limited face-to-face graduation,” said Escullar.
The theme of the School Year 2021-2022 graduation rites is “Gradweyt ng K to 12: Masigasig sa mga Pangarap at Matatag sa mga Pagsubok” (K to 12 Graduates: Pursuing Dreams and Fostering Resilience in the Face of Adversity).
Under DepEd Order Number 29, Series of 2021 issued last Aug. 5, 2021, School Year 2021-2022 should end on June 24, 2022.
Graduation rites may be held between June 27, 2022 and July 2, 2022.
“Only the completers, their parents / guardians, teachers, school officials, and guests shall be present during the rites to ensure the protection and safety of everyone,” Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction Alma Ruby Torio said.
DepEd also reminded everyone that graduation rites should be conducted in a solemn and dignified manner and shall not be used as a political forum.
Guest speakers must focus their messages on the theme of this year’s rites and must be advised not to campaign for anyone or any political party.
Schools shall make sure that no election-related paraphernalia, such as streamers, posters, stickers, or other election-related items, are distributed within the school premises or online./PN