DepEd urges indoor end-of-school ceremonies

MANILA, Philippines — As the extreme heat is expected to continue this month, the Department of Education (DepEd) has advised all schools nationwide to hold their end-of-school-year or EOSY rites, such as graduation and moving-up ceremonies, indoors.

Under DepEd Memorandum No. 023 Series of 2024, issued on May 2, all EOSY rites for school year 2023-2024 shall be conducted on any date from May 29 to 31.

“To ensure the safety and protection of learners, teachers and attendees, schools are advised to hold their EOSY Rites in indoor venues with proper ventilation or covered courts to avoid exposure to the extreme heat of the sun,” the DepEd memorandum read.

“Schools shall avoid scheduling their EOSY Rites during the time of the day when temperatures are at their highest,” it added.

The DepEd also reminded all schools to keep their graduation and moving up ceremonies “simple but meaningful.”

“While these rites mark a milestone in the lives of the learners, graduation and moving-up ceremonies shall be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venues,” the agency said.

The DepEd also stressed that attendance to non-academic activities such as field trips, film showings, Junior-Senior Promenade and other similar school events, must not be compulsory and “shall not be imposed as graduation or completion requirements.”

For public schools, the DepEd said expenses related to the EOSY activities shall be charged to their respective Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses account, “subject to existing guidelines.”

“No DepEd personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for the Graduation/Moving-up Ceremony,” the education agency warned.

The DepEd said the theme for SY 2023-2024 EOSY rites shall be “Kabataang Pilipino Para sa Matatag na Kinabukasan ng Bagong Pilipinas (Filipino youth for stronger future of the new Philippines).”

“This theme highlights the pivotal role of education in shaping Filipino youth as the vanguards in building a stronger and progressive nation,” the DepEd said.

The DepEd said the EOSY rites may be conducted for kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, Grade 12 and Alternative Learning System students