DepEd announces end of school year rites
by: Remy T. Dormido
Master Teacher I
Obrero Elementary School
Central Butuan District 2
The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that the end of the School Year (SY) 2017-2018 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).
The 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.
As announced in Enclosure No. 1 of DepEd Order No. 25, s. 2017 entitled School Calendar for SY 2017-2018, the end of school year rites should be scheduled not earlier than 2 April 2018 but not later than 6 April 2018. Schools, divisions, or regions with an extended SY will have to be guided by their approved revised school calendar.
Also, in line with the government’s austerity program, DepEd reiterates that graduation rites should be simple but meaningful which encourage civil rights, a sense of community, and personal responsibility. Moving Up or Closing Ceremonies should be simple involving only the learners, their parents and the school; and non-academics 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.
Awarding of honors to learners from Grades 1 to 12 shall follow the guidelines stipulated in DO 36, s. 2016 entitled “Policy 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. ###
