Mendoza: A cycle from womb to tomb

Sunday, February 5, 2012

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 battle cry and slogan of governance: "Education For All (EFA) 2015: Karapatan ng Lahat, Pananagutan ng Lahat."

It is February already and in over one month, graduation rites will be conducted in all levels from preschool, basic education to graduate schools. This early DepEd had already issued DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2012 entitled "2012 Graduation Rites" which spells out its policy on the conduct and collection of fees for the said school end's activity.

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This is in line with the government's austerity program.

First, the Order reminded the public school heads, teachers and other DepEd personnel not to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for the graduation rites.

The PTAs on the other hand, may give donations in cash or in kind for the graduation ceremonies and celebrations.

Teachers are highly discouraged to impose non-academic projects as requirements for graduation.

The order also emphasized that no extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required. In addition, graduation rites, DepEd pointed out, should not be exercised in splurging and display of pomp and pageantry but should be Spartan affairs which exhort civic duties, sense of community and personal responsibilities and should be memorable, exciting and animated without baggage of extra cost and excessive spending.

As practiced in the previous years, contributions for the annual yearbook shall be on voluntary basis.

To avoid previous incidents where the public witnessed politicians appearing during graduation rites, DepEd has reminded the school heads that the activity should be conducted in appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not be used for political forum.

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Graduation from any level or course is not the end all and be all of life, it is just a commencement of bigger challenges along the way. It may be considered as a great success but one should not stop learning as education, like life, is a continuous process.

A cycle from womb to tomb should be the motivation of everyone to keep learning and keep living.

- o0O0o -

You can access DepEd Updates, latest issuances and other relevant information through our website: http://www.deped.gov.ph. For comments, suggestions and/or contributions, email me at renzthescribe@gmail.com. For queries, complains and other concerns, call DepED Region 11 at (082) 227-9342 or fax to (082) 227-1102 and (082) 221-6147.
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Mr. Lorenzo E. Mendoza, M.A. is connected with DepEd Regional Office 11 and currently on study leave to pursue a degree in Diploma in ICT, Multimedia at TAFE South Australia through the Australian Endeavour VET Scholarship Grant under the management of Austraining International.