DepEd Announces the Conduct of End of the School Year Rites for 2017-2018

The Department of Education (DepEd) announces the conduct of End of the School Year Rites for 2017-2018: Keeping the graduation rites simple but meaningful

The Department of Education (DepEd) is reminding schools throughout the country of the government’s austerity program to keep graduation or completion rites "simple but meaningful."

In reference to the Department of Education Order (DO 06, s. 2018 - School Year 2017-2018 K to 12 Basic Education Program End of School Year Rites)

The Department of Education reminds us of the government’s program and graduation rites policies.

In line with the government’s austerity program, DepEd reiterates the following policies:

a. Graduation rites should be simple but meaningful which encourage civil rights, a sense of community, and personal responsibility. While these rites mark a milestone in the life of the learners, these should be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venue;
b. Moving Up or Closing Ceremonies should be simple involving only the learners, their parents and the school; and
c. Non-academic projects such as attendance to field trips, film showing, junior-senior promenade, and other school events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion.

For Public Schools only

a. Expenses relative to the activity should be charged to the school’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses under the 2018 Budget;

b. Any DepEd personnel should not be allowed to collect any graduation/moving up/closing ceremony fees or any kind of contribution; and

c. Contribution for the annual yearbook, if any, should be on a voluntary basis.

Secretary of the Department of Education Leonor Briones said that the reminder to the school administrators and public school teachers is in line with our government's austerity program.

DepEd also announced this year's graduation theme: The 2018 ceremonies shall focus on the theme Mag-aaral ng K to 12: Handa sa Hamon ng Buhay (K to 12 Learners: Ready to Face Life’s Challenges). Schools, divisions, or regions may translate the theme in Mother Tongue. This theme highlights the role of K to 12 Basic Education Program in harnessing the skills and competencies of the Filipino learners to face life’s challenges.

For school year 2017-2018, the DepEd is announcing the conduct of the following end-of-school-year rites:

Kindergarten Completers will have a moving up ceremony/Completion ceremony with Kindergarten Certificate as proof of completion;
Grade 6 Completers will have a Graduation ceremony and Elementary Certificate as proof of completion;
Grade 10 Completers will have moving up or completion ceremony and Junior High school Certificate as proof of completion;
Grade 12 Completers from schools with DepEd-approved K to 12 transition plan, or from schools with permit to operate Senior High School 2014, or from International schools with K to 12 program; will have a graduation ceremony and Senior High Diploma as proof of completion

As announced in Enclosure No. 1 of DepEd Order (DO) No. 25, s. 2017 entitled School Calendar for School Year 2017-2018, the end of school year rites should be scheduled not earlier than April 2, 2018 but not later than April 6, 2018. Schools, divisions, or regions with an extended school year will have to be guided by their approved revised school calendar.

All Grade 12 learners are required to take the Basic Education Exit Assessment (BEEA)which will be conducted before April 6, 2018. Details of the examination will be issued on a separate memorandum.

The Department of Education (DepEd) also reiterated that non-academic projects such as field trips, film showing, junior-senior promenade, and other school events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion.

DepEd is also reminding all public schools that expenses for graduation activity should be charged to the School Maintenance and Operating Expenses (MOOE) under its 2018 budget.

Awarding of honors to learners from Grades 1 to 12 shall follow the guidelines stipulated in DO 36, s. 2016 entitled Policy Guidelines on Awards and Recognition for K to 12 Basic Education Program.

Further, the end of school year rites and moving up or closing ceremony should be conducted in an appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the learners and their parents, and shall not be used as a political forum.

Please visit the link for the full access of the DO 06, s. 2018

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