March 07, 2022 – The Department of Education (DepEd) is optimistic that schools will be able to conduct limited physical End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites for School Year 2021-2022.

At the recent EduAksyon Virtual Regional press conference hosted by DepEd Region IX, Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones expressed her optimism that schools may be able to conduct their graduation rites depending on the risk assessment in various regions of the country.

“Yung risk assessment natin sa mga different regions, sa mga different schools ay nag-improve. Pag nag tuloy-tuloy ito, the chances of being allowed to conduct face-to-face graduation also increases. Sunod-sunod yan pag nag-opening ka ng classes, nag face-to-face (classes) ka, physical graduation rites are also possible,” Education Chief Briones said.

“Ang hope lang natin, maabutan ng graduation season natin na hindi naman abutan ng hindi magandang balita (increase in COVID cases/alert level) kung may biglang pagbabago,” Sec. Briones added.

Furthermore, in anticipation of the physical graduation rites, the Office of the Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction (OUCI) is already planning and developing the guidelines on how to conduct the said activity.

“Kami sa Curriculum and Instruction Strand ay nag-uusap na ng magiging guidelines. Yung tanong na kung possible ang face-to-face graduation? Siyempre po kasi nga pinayagan na ang limited face-to-face, so ang ibig sabihin posible na rin yung limited face-to-face graduation ceremonies,” Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado M. San Antonio said.

Usec. San Antonio also mentioned that the graduation ceremony will not be the same as before the pandemic and assured that proper health and safety protocols will be maintained throughout the ceremony.

“Huwag tayong umasa na katulad ng dati na napakaraming tao, ire-regulate po natin, susundin natin yung mga social distancing requirements,” Usec. San Antonio said.

“May posibilidad na hindi lang isahan, baka may unang oras, isang grupo kung maliit yung lugar na pagdarausan ng face-to-face graduation. Mga ganon na modelo ay pinag-aaralan pa namin at pinag-uusapan, pero sisiguruhin natin na kung tayo ay magre-recommend nito ito ay sasang-ayon sa mga pinapatupad na requirements ng IATF at ng DOH,” he added.

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