DepEd reminds schools: No collection for graduation rites
AUSTERITY POLICY
KEEP it simple.
The Department of Education issued this reminder in its DepEd Order 9, series of 2012, to all public schools as preparations for graduation rites get underway.
In Region 1, DepEd Director Dr. Ligaya Soledad Miguel said, “Our policy on graduation ceremonies is to observe austerity, economy and simplicity.”
The order, stressing the theme “Your Gift of Learning, Our Tool for Nation Building”, reminded teachers and school officials that they are not allowed to collect any graduation fee from students as mandated by the Constitution.
However, parents-teachers associations (PTA) or the parents-teachers-community associations (PTCA) may give donations for the occasion if they choose to.
“In case of collections, the PTA will determine the amount of contribution. Part of the discussion in the PTA meeting is the amount of payment that the parents can afford,” Miguel said.
Schools should also refrain from requiring students to don “glamorous” attires and picking an “extraordinary” venue for the ceremony.
“The graduation rites should be held in an appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not in any way be used for political forum,” Miguel said.
Moreover, no non-academic project should be imposed, as a requirement for graduation while contributions for the annual yearbook should only be on a voluntary basis.
“Because we experience economic difficulty at present, we should live by this situation, by this reality that parents are having a hard time sending their children to school. Let us not make these contributions a hindrance for them to fulfill their obligations,” she added. (PIA-Pangasinan /April Montes)
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