ALL Graduation Ceremonies in the public schools will start on April 1 and ends on April 5 this year. Kindly refer to DepEd Order No. 2, 2019 for the guidelines on what to do during this momentous occasion. I wish everyone the best and may this day be one of your milestones as citizen of the world. Below is the Secretary’s Message on the Graduation/Moving-up Ceremonies for School Year 2018-2019:
My warmest greetings and congratulations to the foremost champions of this momentous occasion—the completers and graduates of School Year 2018-2019!
Graduation and moving-up ceremonies are indeed a joyous celebration, and not only because it culminates another year of learning and discovery, perseverance, and passionate work among our learners. It also caps off another year of successful collaboration among parents, teachers, education officials and personnel, community members, partners, and stakeholders of diverse roots, cultures, and traditions.
This year’s theme, “Unity in Diversity: Quality Education for All,” speaks of our commitment and loyalty to our culture—diverse as it is—that reflects our soul and unites our people. Time and again, we have proven that regardless of our descent, status, ethnicity, and religious and political beliefs, we can unite towards the realization of a common goal—the delivery of quality, accessible, relevant, and liberating basic education for the Filipino learners.
While the Department of Education (DepEd) has carried on and embraced change amid technological advancements and the continuously shifting socio-economic landscape, it commits itself to the holistic development of 21st century learners who are not only critical and innovative thinkers in the fields of science, mathematics, and robotics, but who are also artistic and creative, and can thrive in the fields that appeal to our soul and our sense of identity.
Rest assured that through the K to 12 Basic Education Program, DepEd shall strive to hone our future leaders and nation-builders in a society that embraces diversity and all its challenges and advantages. I am positive that whatever path they wish to pursue hereafter, our graduates and completers will continuously enrich what makes up the Filipino soul—our culture, talent, history, and capacity to survive.
Again, congratulations and mabuhay!
Graduates and completers, naniniwala ako na anumang landas ang inyong tahakin hindi kayo makalilimot sa pagiging Filipino at sa lahat ng bumubuo sa diwa nito—ang ating kultura, talento, kasaysayan at kakayahang mapagtagumpayan ang mga hamon ng buhay.
Leonor Magtolis Briones
DepEd Secretary
This Corner hopes that this year’s batch of graduates and completers will continue to search for the next stage wherein they can bring their lives to the next level to achieve their full potentials. They can do it if we will help them and most importantly, if they will help themselves.