Monday, March 10, 2008 Bolo urges schools to avoid 'expensive' graduation rites
CEBU Provincial Board (PB) Member Juan Bolo, citing current financial woes, is echoing the call of the Department of Education (DepEd) against unnecessary preparation expenses for school graduation this month.
Bolo reminded public schools not to collect extravagant funds for graduation ceremonies, including projects as one of the requirements for graduation.
Recently, DepEd issued a list of reminders to prevent parents and students from shelling out unnecessary preparation expenses for graduation rites.
For one, public schools are not allowed to collect graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites.
Requirement
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.
PB Member Bolo said lavish spending for the rites will only add financial burden to the parents.
Extraordinary
“It has been stated further that there should be no academic project imposed as a requirement for students to receive their diplomas and no extravagant attire or extraordinary venues for the ceremonies will be required,” he reiterated in his proposed resolution.
Likewise, in a separate motion, Bolo is requesting newly installed Cebu Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Serena Uy to implement the agency’s circular prohibiting the use of cellular phones for both teachers and students inside the classroom during class hours.
“To avoid disruption in the classroom during class hours, teachers and students should prohibit themselves from using cellular phones,” he said.
DepEd issued a memorandum circular banning the use of cellular phones during class hours. (GMD)
