Schools under Alert Levels 1 and 2 are allowed to hold physical End-of-School Year (EOSY) rites, the Department of Education (DepEd) said in a press release on March 25.
“With the continuous downward trend of 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,” Education Secretary Leonor Briones said.
For schools in areas under Alert Levels 3, 4, and 5, DepEd said they are only allowed to conduct virtual EOSY rites and broadcast live through proper social media platforms.
“Only the completers, their parents or guardians, teachers, school officials, and guests shall be present during the virtual rites to ensure the protection and safety of everyone,” Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction Alma Torio said.
"The Department announced that limited face-to-face graduation will be allowed for schools in Alert Level 1 and 2 areas, in consultation with the LGU, schools, and CLCs with strict compliance with IATF protocols," the press release stated.
The EOSY rites will be on June 27 and July 2, 2022, while private schools whose schedules do not end on June 24, 2022, can follow a similar schedule in their school calendars.
The department said the approved revised school calendar determines the EOSY rite dates for schools, divisions, or regions that extended their school year because of class suspensions.
Republic Act 11480 allows schools to extend the school calendar from 200 days to up to 220 days.
“Dapat tumupad sa batas natin under RA 11480,” Torio said. “For private schools ’yung kanilang number of school days at yung pagtatapos nila, they shall be guided by their approved school calendar,” she added.
DepEd reminded everyone to conduct the EOSY rites “in a solemn and dignified manner” in line with Department Order No. 48 s. 2018 titled “Prohibition of Electioneering and Partisan Political Activity.”
“The End-of-School Year (EOSY) rites must not be used as a political forum for candidates or political parties,” Torio said.
DepEd said that guest speakers’ speeches should only revolve around this year’s EOSY rites theme and schools must prevent the distribution of election-related paraphernalia, such as streamers, posters, and stickers, within the school premises or online.
This year’s EOSY rites’ theme 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].
Comments