NO MORE glittery gowns and romantic dances for high school students this year after the Department of Education (DepEd) Davao announced the suspension of Junior-Senior Promenade (JS Prom) in all public secondary schools, including Davao City, in a bid to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, the disease is called Covid-19.
Under the DepEd Memorandum 15, s. 2020 off-campus activities have been suspended such as field or educational trips for the month as DepEd said its top priority for now is the health and safety of the students.
The memorandum stated that off-campus activities are defined as “an authorized activity relevant to learning that takes place outside the school premises, participated by learners and supervised by teachers and/or staff and other concerned stakeholders.”
SHS Work Immersion is not included in the suspension as it does not fall under “Off-Campus Activities” as defined by DepEd No. 66, s.2017.
Gem Galang, public information officer (PIO) of DepEd Davao, said the suspension of JS Prom is only intended for all off-campus activities for February alone and March activities are not included. Any activities that gather students will not be allowed during this month.
JS Prom activity is among the most anticipated events for high school students. The activity involves students wearing gowns or suits.
Galang added that the memorandum has been disseminated to all DepEd schools to adhere to the national directive issued by DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones. This measure was developed in line with the threat of Covid-19.
The memorandum is only applicable to public schools. It will be up to the discretion of the officials of the private schools should they also cancel their events.
Earlier, DepEd-Davao also announced that all travels, official and personal, to China and its special administrative regions are temporarily banned.
The agency also said official travels of all DepEd personnel and learners previously approved by education Secretary Briones for February 2020 to countries identified to have confirmed cases or persons under investigation for the Covid-2019 are revoked.
In the wake of the global pandemic, all national and regional activities involving learners and/or teachers requiring travel and congregation of various schools, divisions, and regions are suspended.
Some boutiques are anticipating the effect of the cancellation of the event. It might decrease the number of clients who are buying or renting gowns to wear in their JS Prom activity.
“While the cancellation of JS Proms may affect the revenue of gowns and suits rental businesses like us, we understand and support the decision made by the Department of Education. Getting Hitched Bridal Boutique is one with the authorities in ensuring the safety and health of everyone especially our students,” the management of Getting Hitched Bridal Boutique said in a statement.
Ines Mallari, the president of Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School and Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku, said they are yet decided if they will push through with their JS Prom. They have to consider other parents who have spent money in preparation for their child’s activity.
“If it is for the health and safety of our students, we will support that. However, some parents are asking us to continue with the conduct of our activity because of the expenses that they already incurred. Perhaps, it is also prudent to get the consensus of the parents for us to better assess the situation,” Mallari said.