DepEd: No graduation rites during COVID-19 crisis
MANILA, Philippines — There will be no graduation rites in the country while the threat of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is present, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Monday.
Education Secretary Leonor Briones said that while the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) is in effect, other local government units in the Visayas and Mindanao have also imposed similar initiatives.
“Alam natin na closed na ang classes, tapos na, pero walang graduation. I know disappointment ito para sa mga pamilya pero under present condition hindi natin ito pinahihintulutan,” she said in an interview on GMA’s Unang Balita.
(We know that classes are over but there is no graduation. I know this is a disappointment for families but under present conditions, we cannot allow it.)
“This is not the first time na pinopostpone. Hindi naman kinakansela, pinopostpone lang (Graduation is not canceled, only postponed),” she added.
However, Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla cited a DepEd memorandum that states that the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) of schools can be consulted if graduation ceremonies will be rescheduled or canceled.
“(Graduation is) postponed while ECQ (is in effect) and DepEd Memo 42 has provision number 6, which states that PTAs can be consulted if graduation ceremony will be rescheduled or canceled. There should be consultation with PTA,” she said.
“Canceled ang graduation ng (on) April 13-17 as originally scheduled because of extended ECQ. Thereafter, other graduation ceremonies to be postponed but schools can still reschedule only after ECQ,” she added.
Mass gatherings were prohibited under the ECQ as a measure against the further spread of the viral respiratory illness.
Meanwhile, DepEd is still deliberating whether or not the opening of classes will proceed in June amid the coronavirus threat.
The ECQ in the entire Luzon started on March 17 and was supposed to end at midnight of April 13. It was however extended until April 30. Other provinces and cities outside the region have also later imposed ECQ to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
Briones herself tested positive for COVID-19 based on a test result that came out on April 8.
On Monday, she announced that her latest test showed that she is now COVID-19 free.
GSG/EDV
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