THE Department of Education (DepEd) in Central Visayas reminds public schools who intend to join next year’s Sinulog Festival not to require students to join in exchange for extra grades.

DepEd 7 director Salustiano Jimenez said Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, that the department has no objections on students or teachers who will join in the Sinulog Festival provided that no disruptions of classes will happen.

The participation of the students should also be voluntary and no additional grades or credits will be given to them, he added.

“We should not, because it would be unfair to other learners, especially those who are not Roman Catholics. That would be unfair to them, we do not encourage them to join to have extra grades,” Jimenez said in a mix of English and Cebuano.

But Jimenez acknowledged that there are really some parents who would insist that their child should join the Sinulog because of their faith towards the Sto. Niño.

Jimenez said he does not have the figures yet on how many schools will be joining and on how many students and teachers will be involved.

Jimenez also reminded school heads, especially those in Cebu City, to make sure that no classes will be hampered if their schools will be used as billeting quarters for the contingents.

In a recent interview, Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Elmer “Jojo” Labella said that they are considering public and private schools near the South Road Properties to be the billeting quarters of the contingents.

Jimenez said there is no problem with schools housing contingents as long as designated areas will be set to ensure that regular classes of the students will not be affected. (IRT)