No suspension of graduation rites yet

MANILA, Philippines — Graduation ceremonies calendared for March or April have not been suspended due to the threat of the novel coronavirus (nCoV), the Department of Education (DepEd) said yesterday.

Education Undersecretary for administration Alain del Pascua said DepEd’s order to suspend national and regional activities only covers those scheduled this February.

“Graduation ceremonies will be in March or April. What we are focused on are the activities in February,” Del Pascua said as he clarified the memorandum issued by the DepEd last week.

Among the activities suspended as a result of the DepEd memo are the National Schools Press Conference in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; the National Festival of Talents in Ilagan, Isabela and the National Science and Technology Fair in Metro Manila.

Aside from the postponement of the national and regional activities this month, the directive also suspended field trips and other off-campus activities.

Division and district activities that involve the gathering or congregation of various schools are highly discouraged, with the organizers advised to seek the recommendation of health authorities.

But the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) criticized the DepEd yesterday for the supposed selective implementation of the policy, noting that an event involving almost 1,000 students pushed through in Quezon City.

It noted that DepEd Undersecretary Tonisito Umali served as the guest of honor in the event on anti-illegal drugs, which was held at the Magsaysay High School in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“How was the PNP activity permitted with no less than a DepEd top official as its guest and speaker, when even flag ceremonies have been banned?” said ACT national chair Joselyn Martinez.

“Is this sham and violent drug war more important than the health of our students?” she asked.

In response, Pascua called out the ACT for its supposed malicious interpretation of the directive. 

“DepEd allows activities within the school as long as personnel and learners exhibiting respiratory infections are prohibited to attend,” he said, denying alleged violations of the directive. 

“We firmly adhere to our primary mandate of protecting our teachers and personnel and our 27.2 million learners. We encourage ACT to help us on this mission, so that more Filipinos will be informed on the proper ways of dealing with nCoV,” he added. 

Aside from regional and national events, also suspended by the DepEd are official and personal travels to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.

It also revoked approved official travels this month of DepEd personnel and students to other countries with confirmed cases of nCoV.

“All DepEd personnel with approved personal travels to the same countries are highly advised not to proceed,” read the memorandum.

“Personnel and learners coming from travel abroad shall comply with the prescribed quarantine procedures of proper government authorities before returning to work or school,” it added.