The conduct of End-of-School-Year (EOSY) rites should be free from any electioneering and partisan political activity, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.
In a virtual press briefing on Friday, March 11, DepEd Assistant Secretary for Curriculum and Instruction Alma Torio reiterated the strict compliance with DepEd Order No 48 s. of 2018 or the “Prohibition of Electioneering and Partisan Political Activity.”
Torio explained that EOSY rites are conducted in a “solemn and dignified manner” --- thus, the occasion should not be used as a “political forum.”
To ensure that EOSY rites are free from politics, schools were asked to ensure that the guest speakers must focus their messages on the theme of this year’s EOSY rites which is “K to 12 Graduates: Pursuing Dreams and Fostering Resilience in the Face of Adversity.”
Torio added that the schools must advise their guest speakers for the EOSY rites “not to campaign for anyone or any political party.”
“Schools shall ensure that no election-related paraphernalia, such as streamers, posters, stickers, or other election-related items are distributed or displayed within the school premises or online,” Torio reminded.
Meanwhile, Torio said that recognition rites for other grade levels may also be conducted virtually on a limited face-to-face setup.
However, she explained that if done on a limited face-to-face setup, it must be conducted separately from the graduation rites or moving up/completion ceremony to ensure physical distancing and adherence to Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) health protocols.
Moreover, Torio reminded that for public schools, the expenses to be incurred relative to the conduct of the activity shall be charged against the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the school.
Related to this, Torio said that “no DepEd official or personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution or graduation fee, moving up/completion ceremony or recognition rites.”