DepEd Allows Face-to-Face Graduation Ceremony Rites, Releases Guidelines for Safety

The Department of Education (DepEd) has released a memorandum on Tuesday, May 10, allowing in-person graduation rites, a first since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

“[DepEd] announces the conduct of the School Year (SY) 2021-2022 End-of-School Year (EOSY) Rites for Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 learners who shall satisfactorily meet the curriculum requirements at the end of SY 2021-2022,” the DepEd noted.

The memorandum also includes allowing learners who passed the portfolio assessment in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) — both elementary and junior high school levels — and ALS Senior High School (SHS) learners who met the curriculum requirements to hold their graduation rites in person.

“In assessing the viability of conducting SY 2021-2022 EOSY rites, public health and safety are still deemed the topmost concern amidst the ongoing progress in COVID-19 testing and vaccination.”

DepEd said they still discourage face-to-face EOSY rites, but for schools under Alert Levels 1 and 2, in consultation with the local government units (LGUs) and the parents and guardians, they may opt to hold a limited or a hybrid ceremony.

The rites should show strict compliance with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases’ (IATF-EID) protocols, including the following:

• Face masks must be worn throughout the entire event
• At least a one-meter safe distance must be observed between individuals
• Participants must be seated at their assigned seats only
• Handshake or any other forms of physical contact is discouraged
• Only the parents or one designated guardian shall be permitted to accompany a mover or candidate for graduation