MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) announced that this year, there will be no more graduation ceremony for Grade 6 pupils for both public and private schools.
Following the K-12 curriculum, Education secretary Leonor Briones said that for School Year (SY) 2018-2019 only qualified pupils in the Senior High School shall be allowed to have a graduation ceremony.
Briones clarified, “Only Grade 12 learners from schools with DepEd-approved K to 12 transition plan; schools with permit to operate Senior High School since 2014, and international schools with K to 12 Program can hold graduation ceremonies.”
The announcement was made under DepEd Order 002 series of 2019, or the SY 2018-2019 K to 12 Basic Education Program End of School Year (EOSY) Rites.
UPDATE: DepEd apologizes for confusion, clarifies Grade 6 to have graduation rites
The Order further mandates that pupils in the Kindergarten, Grade 6 and 10 can have “moving up” or “completion” exercises. Kindergarten learners shall be given Kindergarten Certificate; Grade 6 learners shall be awarded their Elementary Certificate; Grade 10 learners will also receive their Junior High School (JHS) Certificate and the SHS graduates will get SHS Diploma.
This year will be the first time that Grade 6 pupils will not have any Graduation Exercises.
Undersecretary and Spokesperson Annalyn Sevilla explained the decision to have only one graduation rite for K-12. She said, “There is only one basic education curriculum or program offered by DepEd – which is the K to 12 Program. Thus, there is only one graduation at basic education and that is also from the K to 12 Program.”
“Hence, only SHSs will conduct graduation rites for qualified grade 12 students,” Sevilla added. The undersecretary shared that a memorandum will soon be released to further explain the changes.
The Order will apply to both public and private schools offering K-12 including Philippine schools overseas. They are also ordered to schedule their school year rites not earlier than April 1, 2019 but not later than April 5, 2019.
The 2019 commencement exercises shall bear the theme: “Pagkakaisa sa Pagkakaiba-iba: Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Lahat.” It should highlight the role of K-12 Basic Education Program in developing an educated society where the challenges and benefits of diversity are embraced and welcomed by every Filipino.
DepEd reminds that graduation rites should be simple and meaningful and not extravagant. Even the moving up ceremonies of the lower level pupils should also be simple and made to highlight the learners’ achievement and participation of their parents. Non-academic projects such as field trips should also not be made as requirements for graduation.
For public schools, DepEd reiterates their “no collection policy” reminding the parents and learners that no DepEd personnel is allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for graduation/moving up ceremonies.
Meanwhile, Secretary Briones encouraged this year’s senior high school graduates to be discern carefully the field they want to choose. She explained, “Our present curriculum is very diverse. Gone are the old days when students need to endure four-year college education because there are two years of basic education in four areas that students can choose from.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
Following the K-12 curriculum, Education secretary Leonor Briones said that for School Year (SY) 2018-2019 only qualified pupils in the Senior High School shall be allowed to have a graduation ceremony.
Briones clarified, “Only Grade 12 learners from schools with DepEd-approved K to 12 transition plan; schools with permit to operate Senior High School since 2014, and international schools with K to 12 Program can hold graduation ceremonies.”
The announcement was made under DepEd Order 002 series of 2019, or the SY 2018-2019 K to 12 Basic Education Program End of School Year (EOSY) Rites.
UPDATE: DepEd apologizes for confusion, clarifies Grade 6 to have graduation rites
The Order further mandates that pupils in the Kindergarten, Grade 6 and 10 can have “moving up” or “completion” exercises. Kindergarten learners shall be given Kindergarten Certificate; Grade 6 learners shall be awarded their Elementary Certificate; Grade 10 learners will also receive their Junior High School (JHS) Certificate and the SHS graduates will get SHS Diploma.
This year will be the first time that Grade 6 pupils will not have any Graduation Exercises.
Undersecretary and Spokesperson Annalyn Sevilla explained the decision to have only one graduation rite for K-12. She said, “There is only one basic education curriculum or program offered by DepEd – which is the K to 12 Program. Thus, there is only one graduation at basic education and that is also from the K to 12 Program.”
“Hence, only SHSs will conduct graduation rites for qualified grade 12 students,” Sevilla added. The undersecretary shared that a memorandum will soon be released to further explain the changes.
The Order will apply to both public and private schools offering K-12 including Philippine schools overseas. They are also ordered to schedule their school year rites not earlier than April 1, 2019 but not later than April 5, 2019.
The 2019 commencement exercises shall bear the theme: “Pagkakaisa sa Pagkakaiba-iba: Kalidad na Edukasyon para sa Lahat.” It should highlight the role of K-12 Basic Education Program in developing an educated society where the challenges and benefits of diversity are embraced and welcomed by every Filipino.
DepEd reminds that graduation rites should be simple and meaningful and not extravagant. Even the moving up ceremonies of the lower level pupils should also be simple and made to highlight the learners’ achievement and participation of their parents. Non-academic projects such as field trips should also not be made as requirements for graduation.
For public schools, DepEd reiterates their “no collection policy” reminding the parents and learners that no DepEd personnel is allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for graduation/moving up ceremonies.
DO_s2019_002-DepEd by TheSummitExpress on Scribd
Meanwhile, Secretary Briones encouraged this year’s senior high school graduates to be discern carefully the field they want to choose. She explained, “Our present curriculum is very diverse. Gone are the old days when students need to endure four-year college education because there are two years of basic education in four areas that students can choose from.”
— Sally, The Summit Express
