• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
With the campaign period for local candidates starting on March 28, the Department of Education Schools Division Negros Occidental yesterday called on local school officials to invite speakers who can inspire the learners during graduation or recognition rites, rather than political figures.
Ian Arnold Arnaez, spokesperson of DepEd Schools Division – Negros Occidental, said that while we cannot avoid inviting mayors and other elected officials, he stressed the need for them to focus on what is inspirational to the graduating students or the learners that are moving up.
Graduation rites have been calendared by the Department of Education for April 14 and 15.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara issued Department Memorandum No. 27 s. 2025, reminding all DepEd officials, teaching and non-teaching personnel, that they are prohibited from such political activities, in accordance with existing policies.
These policies included Department Order (DO) 48 s. 2018 on Prohibition on Electioneering and Partisan Political Activity, and DO 47 s. 2022 on Promotion of Professionalism in the Implementation and Delivery of Basic Education Programs and Services, and its amendments through DO 49 s. 2022.
DepEd also reiterated that graduation and moving-up ceremonies should be “simple but meaningful” and be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venues.
Arnaez disclosed that all recognition, moving up and graduation rites are covered by the school’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE).
“There is no reason to collect from the parents,” he said.
If the problem is heat, schools can schedule their graduation-related events during times when it is not too hot, or they can also coordinate with the barangays to use the covered courts and buy electric fans to lessen the heat in the venues, Arnaez said.*
