Mendoza: Latest guidelines on graduation rites

DIRECTOR’S Cut: (This portion features the thoughts of DepEd 11 Regional Director Susana Teresa B. Estigoy, Ceso IV to all stakeholders and recipients of the efforts to improve the basic education) I do not consider my job as plain work --- rather it is my LIFE. “We have to continually examine what succeeds and fails, and why. We have to uphold and live true to our battlecry and DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus’ slogan of governance: “Edukasyon ang Solusyon”

Click here for Election 2010 updates

- o0O0o -

This early, DepEd has been receiving calls from the public especially from the parents and the members of the media regarding concerns about the graduation rites for basic education which includes the elementary and secondary.

Time and again, our educational system is governed by policies embodied in every DepEd Order released by the Office of the Secretary of Education and as members of the DepEd family, we are bound to follow it or be given sanctions.

Policies governing this year’s graduation rites are stipulated in DepEd Order No. 27, s. 2010, the latest issuance on policies to be observed during graduation and the first DepED Order signed by newly appointed Secretary of Education, Sec. Mona D. Valisno. It superseded DepEd Order No. 13, s. 2010 entitled “2010 Graduation Rites” released as early as February 18.

The theme of this year’s graduation exercises is “Education: Changing Lives (Edukasyon ang Solusyon). It should be scheduled any day between March 29 and April 9, 2010

The following are the important provisions of DepEd Order No. 27: Pursuant to the Constitutional and statutory mandate that public elementary and secondary education shall be free, and in line with the directive of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to remind schools that graduation rites should be lean on cost but long in imparting of valuable messages.

It was also stated that graduation rites should not be exercises in splurging and display of pomp and pageantry but should be Spartan affairs that exhort civic activities, sense of community and personal responsibilities.

Graduation rites can be memorable, exciting and animated without baggage of extra cost and excessive spending, it said. The field offices of DepEd and the schools in the field are reminded of the following guidelines:

Public school heads, teachers and other school personnel shall not be allowed to collect any kind of contribution for graduation rites.

Graduation exercise shall be held in school premises in the most austere manner. No extravagant special attires/togas shall be required.

Annual yearbook should be discouraged and be considered non-obligatory.

Important: The graduation rites should be conducted in an appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not in any way be used as a venue for political activities.

This DepEd Order supersedes all previous DepEd Orders on graduation rites which may be inconsistent with this Order. Any violation can be reported to the respective district or division offices where the school is located.

Happy graduation to Batch 2010. May you be the pioneers in changing your lives for the better, for your bright future. Truly, Edukasyon ang Solusyon.

- o0O0o -

Good news to NSPC delegates and well wishers: You can browse and download high resolution photos from the "Magical NSPC 2010" through: http://nspc2010.multiply.com. Photos are courtesy of SM Sanchez, Francis Abrenica and Edwin Lasquite.

- o0O0o -

You can access DepED Updates, latest issuances and other relevant information through our website: http://www.region11.deped.gov.ph. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, email me at renzthescribe@gmail.com. or visit http://renzmendoza.multiply.com. For photos and other relevant information. For queries, complains and other concerns, call DepED Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102.

*****

Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, M.A. is the Regional Supervisor in Filipino for Secondary, Regional Information Officer, Regional ICT and Library Hub Coordinator.