THE Department of Education (DepEd) has indefinitely postponed graduation and moving up ceremonies for school year 2019-2020 throughout the country because of the threat that the novel coronavirus continues to pose.
School administrations, in consultation with the Parents-Teachers Association, may decide to reschedule or forego the ceremonies once the quarantine is lifted.
The agency announced the indefinite postponement on its social media accounts Wednesday, April 15.
The postponement is in line with the national government’s directive to strictly prohibit mass gatherings of people to minimize the risk of contracting the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The DepEd had initially scheduled the End-Of-School Year rites (EOSY) in the week of April 13 to 17.
“With the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and in different parts of the country, and the continued restriction of DOH (Department of Health) on mass gatherings, the graduation and moving up rites in basic education throughout the country is postponed indefinitely,” DepEd said in its advisory.
The agency cited Department Order (DO) 02 and Department Memorandum (DM) 42, saying the ceremonies may be rescheduled.
Schools that wish to hold graduation rites after the lockdown must observe Department of Health guidelines on mass gatherings.
“If holding the rites will push through, DOH guidelines on mass gatherings must be observed,” DepEd said. (Jove T. Moya/SunStar Philippines)