By Merlina Hernando-Malipot The Department of Education (DepEd) said that schools may push through with end-of-school-year (EOSY) rites on the second week of April or once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon and in other areas have been lifted. (Jojo Riñoza / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) In a statement, DepEd said that when it comes to the conduct of EOSY rites the “schools may hold their moving up, graduation, or recognition rites in the week of April 15 to 17, 2020,” since the tentative resumption of classes is scheduled on April 15 according to the Memo from the Office of the President. DepEd stressed, however, that should schools decide to hold their moving up, graduation, or recognition rites, the activities should be “pursuant to applicable social distancing measures in the locality as directed by relevant national and local authorities.” Based on DepEd Order no. 002, s. of 2020, or the Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year Rites issued by Education Secretary Leonor Briones, this year’s guidelines will cover Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 learners who “meet the curriculum requirements at the end of each school year.” For the School Year 2019-2020, Briones said that the EOSY rites shall focus on the theme, “Sulong Edukalidad: Pagtataguyod sa Kinabukasan ng Bayan” (Sulong Edukalidad: Championing the Nation’s Future), which highlights the “essential role of quality education in helping Filipino learners achieve their full potential in order to fulfill their dreams and contribute meaningfully to nation-building.” The said guidelines for EOSY apply to both public and private schools nationwide. Moving up ceremonies may be conducted for those who complete Kindergarten and Grade 10, while graduation rites may be held for Grade 6 and Grade 12 learners. Like in previous years, DepEd enjoins all schools to hold “simple but meaningful” ceremonies. “While these rites mark a milestone in the lives of the learners, these should be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venue.” Likewise, DepEd warned schools that non-academic projects and participation to other schools events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion. In particular, public schools were reminded that “no DepEd personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for the graduation or moving up ceremony.” Moreover, DepEd reminded that the EOSY rites must conducted in an “appropriate and solemn ceremony” befitting the learners and their parents and “shall not be used as a political forum.” DepEd has also came up with a Certificate Generator, which will facilitate the preparation and printing of certificates of completion and diplomas in public elementary and secondary schools nationwide. Meanwhile, DepEd clarified that schools may also “choose to reschedule or forego the holding of the rites within the said period,” in consultation with their respective Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) leadership.