End-of-school-year rites shouldn't be used as venues for political campaigns — DepEd
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) said that schools must not use the end-of-school-year (EOSY) rites as political forums for candidates running for higher office as well as political parties.
"EOSY rites are conducted in a solemn and dignified manner and they shall not be used as a political forum," DepEd Assistant Secretary Alma Ruby Torio said in an online briefing on Friday.
Under a department order issued in 2018, all DepEd officials, teaching and non-teaching staff are not allowed to engage in any electioneering or partisan political activity.
"Invited guest speakers must focus their messages on the theme of this year's EOSY rites. They must be advised not to campaign for anyone or any political party," Torio said.
The DepEd official also said schools are prohibited from displaying within school premises or virtually election-related paraphernalia, including streamers, posters and stickers.
Face-to-face grad rites
The agency is currently proposing that schools in Alert Levels 1 and 2- the lowest alert levels- be allowed to hold limited in-person EOSY ceremonies while learning institutions under higher alert levels should still be given the option to conduct their rites virtually, according to Torio.
Earlier, DepEd expressed optimism that schools might be able to resume physical graduation rites this school year, depending on the risk assessments in their respective areas.
DepEd's suggested theme for this year's EOSY rites is: "K to 12 Graduates: Pursuing Dreams and Fostering Resilience in the Face of Adversity."
The current school year is set to end on June 24, 2022, and EOSY rites can be held thereafter from June 27 to July 2. However, these dates are not set in stone since some schools are following updated calendars due to class suspensions.
On Friday, DepEd also gave updated figures on the number of schools nationwide which have begun the implementation of limited face-to-face classes, which has now reached 6,122, as of March 10.
The agency earlier alloted P977 million in funds for the progressive expansion of in-person classes this year.
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