Tuesday, February 26, 2008 DepEd warns schools against extravagant graduation rites
TO PREVENT parents and students from shelling out unnecessary preparation expenses for this school year’s graduation rites in March, the Department of Education (Dep-Ed) issued last week a list of reminders “in line with the government’s austerity program.”
For one, public schools are not allowed to collect graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites.
DepEd also said that there should be no non-academic project imposed as a requirement for students to receive their diploma, while contributions for the annual yearbook will be done on a voluntary basis.
Also, no extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies will be required.
Parent-teacher-community associations are allowed by DepEd to solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies.
This school year’s rites, which are scheduled any day between March 24 to 28, will focus on the theme, “The Filipino Graduates: Celebrating Achievements, Pursuing Opportunities.”
“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 forum,” said Education Secretary Jesli Lapus in a memorandum.
Smooth
Meanwhile, DepEd 7 Director Carolino Mordeno is also limiting teachers’ personal follow-ups and transactions at the regional office to ensure smooth delivery of instruction to students until the last day of classes.
He has been doing this since the start of this school year after he observed that teachers have been leaving their classes and incurring absences to follow up on personal request for stoppage of salary loans, insurances, certifications, salary adjustments, and contracting salary loans, among others.
“All requests shall be done by mail to our office in Lahug. Or e-mail to decsro7@cvis.net.ph or decsro_7@yahoo.com. Fax to 231-1309 or 255-4542. Text to 0918-922-7286, or through the division liaison officers,” said Mordeno in a statement, which is posted in various areas in the regional office.
“Personal transactions will no longer be entertained without the authority from the office of the schools division superintendent,” he said. (NRC)
