GRADUATION ceremony or moving up/completion?
That question is addressed to the learners who will have their milestones in their students’ lives depending on the level they belong for this School Year 2017-2018.
Regarding those who earmarked for the successful stint of these learners whether in public and private schools are now grinning for they were able to hurdle years and years of struggles and sacrifices so that they will be able to reach these far.
This school year will also be a litmus test to the product of the K to 12 education especially the Senior HS graduating students who will be facing the four exits ahead of them – work, entrepreneurship, further skills training or college education.
As provided in DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2018, this year’s Graduation Theme is: “Mag-aaral ng K to 12: Handa sa Hamon ng Buhay (K to 12 Learners: Ready to Face Life’s Challenges)”. 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. It was emphasized in the Deped issuance that schools, divisions, or regions may translate the theme in Mother Tongue.
For School Year (SY) 2017-2018, the Department of Education (DepEd) announces the conduct of the following End of School Year Rites: Kindergarten: Moving Up or Completion Ceremony, Grade 6: Graduation Ceremony, Grade 10: Moving Up or Completion Ceremony and for the first time, Grade 12: Graduation Ceremony.
As provided in Enclosure No. 1 of 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.
For all Grade 12 learners, they 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.
As provided in the previous issuances prior to graduation and in line with the government’s austerity program, Deped reiterates the following policies: 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; Moving Up or Closing Ceremonies should be simple involving only the learners, their parents and the school; and, 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.
Additional guidelines for public schools only are: Expenses relative to the activity should be charged to the school’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses under the 2018 Budget; any Deped personnel should not be allowed to collect any graduation/moving up/closing ceremony fees or any kind of contribution; and contribution for the annual yearbook, if any, should be on a voluntary basis.
The enclosed certificate/diploma templates including the signature of the Schools Division Superintendent are optional to private schools but compulsory to public schools in all levels.
It was also stipulated in the guidelines that the 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.
It was further emphasized that 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.
This Corner hopes that the graduates will continue to hone their full potentials for them to have a bright future.