ILOILO — The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered schools across Western Visayas to strictly enforce a “No Collection Policy” for graduation and end-of-school-year ceremonies for School Year 2025–2026, warning school officials not to impose mandatory fees on students or parents.
Graduation and end-of-school-year rites for Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 learners — including those from the Alternative Learning System — are scheduled on March 30 or 31, 2026.
The directive, contained in DepEd Memorandum No. 015, series of 2026, seeks to ensure that no learner will be prevented from attending graduation rites due to financial constraints, with all related expenses required to be charged to the schools’ Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
DepEd Region 6 director Dr. Christito Eco stressed that the policy has often been misunderstood and clarified that no teacher, principal, or school official is allowed to collect contributions for graduation activities.
“The expenses for these activities are to be covered by the School Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE),” Eco stated.
He acknowledged that donations from alumni or benefactors may still be accepted, but emphasized that these must remain strictly voluntary and should never be treated as required contributions.
“Ito kasi ay may misinterpretation. Pagsinabi kasing no collection policy, una, wala talagang dapat na teacher or principal or sino man na school officials na magko-collect kahit ano mang contribution. Iyon ‘yung ibig sabihin noon. For graduation activities, sinasabi ng DepEd na ang gastos dito ay charged to the School Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). May mga iba kasi na generous magbigay at mag-donate whatever. Okay naman ‘yan. Hindi ‘yan contribution, it’s a donation if meron talagang gusto mag-donate. For example, alumnus ako ng school and as a way of helping the school magdo-donate ako. Pag-voluntary, that’s a donation,” said Eco.
Eco also explained that while Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs) may initiate activities related to graduation, any collection must be voluntary and approved by PTA members, stressing that mandatory fees can discourage students from participating in the ceremony.
“If the PTA will decide, it should be approved by the PTA members. But again, hindi dapat mandatory ‘yung collection nila. It should be voluntary. Kasi naa-apektuhan ‘yung ibang mga bata na mula sa pamilya na hindi naman kaya mag-contribute, at nagkakaroon ng misconception na ‘yung mga bata ay hindi na lang mag-a-attend. Ayaw natin ng ganoon, na may isang bata ang ‘di mag-a-attend ng napaka-importanteng ceremony dahil lang sa contribution. Hinihikayat natin ang mga principals na mag-allocate (funds for graduation ceremony). Nasa implementation plan naman nila ‘yun at doon tina-charge mga sound system, diplomas, medals and all other expenses for the closing exercises,” Eco stressed.
DepEd also directed schools to hold simple and modest ceremonies, discouraging elaborate spending and expensive attire while ensuring that all expenses are properly accounted for under the school’s MOOE.
Other key guidelines include prohibiting schools from requiring financial clearances for graduation participation, ensuring standardized diplomas and certificates, and requiring schools to finalize awards at least five days before the ceremonies.
Participation in non-academic activities such as field trips or proms will also not be required as a condition for graduation.
Eco emphasized that the policy is meant to protect students from poor families who might otherwise feel excluded from celebrating their achievements.
“Sa totoo lang, maraming parents talaga ang naghihirap.’ Yung sa iba, konti lang ‘yung P10 to P20, pero malaking bagay na ‘yun sa iba… Gawin na lang nating simply ang celebration pero tatatak sa mga bata at maging inspirasyon in the next phase of their education and life,” Eco emphasized.
DepEd further advised schools to hold ceremonies in well-ventilated venues such as covered courts and schedule events during cooler hours of the day to ensure the comfort and safety of participants.
The theme for the School Year 2025–2026 End-of-School-Year (EOSY) Rites is “Filipino Graduates: Prepared to Lead with Competence and Character (Pilipinong Nagsipagtapos: Handang Mamuno nang May Kakayahan at Mabuting Pagkatao).”
DepEd said the theme underscores its commitment to holistic education, aiming to produce graduates equipped not only with academic knowledge but also with the values and skills necessary for higher education, employment, entrepreneurship, and nation-building./PN