ILOILO City – There will be no face-to-face graduation rites this year, according to the Department of Education (DepEd), citing restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
The public must follow government issuances particularly in the conduct of public events and gatherings, according to DepEd-6 director Dr. Ramir Barberan Uytico.
“Schools can directly coordinate with the local IATF (Inter-Agency task Force). In this time of pandemic, DepEd does not have control over the holding of gatherings,” Uytico said in an interview with Panay News.
On Monday, Education secretary Leonor Briones issued Memorandum 027 with the subject: “Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-Of-School-Year (EOSY) Rites for School Year 2020-2021 in light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.”
“To ensure the protection of the health and safety of learners, teachers and personnel, as well as parents and other stakeholders, any face-to face ceremony is not allowed,” read part of the order.
Briones, however, clarified that the virtual conduct of the EOSY rites may be an option for schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs), whenever feasible.
Schools and CLCs may prepare a short program that will run less than two hours to consider the internet connectivity that will be consumed.
Only the completers, their parents/ guardians, teachers and school administrators will be present during the virtual rites. Schools administrators will also be in attendance.
Schools also have the discretion to broadcast live the virtual EOSY rites through appropriate social media platforms.
They must, however, secure the consent of parents and learners before doing such broadcast.
This year’s graduation theme, according to Briones, is Kalidad ng Edukasyon Lalong Patatagin sa Gitna ng Pandemya (Strengthening the Quality of Education Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic).
This aims to highlight that, amid all the challenges, “the learner’s rights to inclusive and quality education, and to safety from the health risks of COVID-19 must be given priority.”
Uytico is encouraging the conduct of virtual graduation rites. Despite challenges in education amid the health crisis, he enjoined the students to continue learning.
“No pandemic can stop your dreams. You just need to be armed with character, competence, courage, and compassion. As you take a leap for another challenging yet rewarding journey, please have in mind that your parents, the DepEd, and all stakeholders in your community will be with you,” Uytico stressed.
Based on DepEd’s memorandum, schools and CLCs have the option to conduct there EOSY rites any date between July 12 and July 16.
The fourth quarter of the School Year 2020-2021 will end on July 10.
For private schools, meanwhile, they have the schedule as reflected on their respective school calendars, said Uytico./PN
