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DepEd:No fees during grad rites

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Department of Education has reiterated its policy on the conduct and collection of fees for graduation rites.

As provided by DepEd Order No. 8,s.2005, no non-academic project shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation and public schools are not allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites.

Parents-Teachers Associations/ Parent, Teachers and Community Association may solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebrations but teachers and principals should not be involved in the collection of these contributions.

PTA/PTCA members should be informed about the use of any contribution for graduation.
The order also states that no extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required and contributions for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis.
DepEd Secretary Jesli A. Lapus has issued a memorandum addressed to all school authorities reminding them to observe the fepartment’s policy on the conduct of this year’s graduation rites scheduled between March 24-28.

He said graduation rites should be conducted in an appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not be used as a venue for political forum.
Schools Division Supt. Mary A. Lang-ayan also solicited during the provincial peace and order council meeting the support of the council to help disseminate the call of Lapus for a simple, elegant and solemn graduation rites celebration. -- Juliet B. Saley