DAVAO CITY — Public and private schools can push through with their graduation rites as long as they strictly implement and follow the Department of Health’s (DOH) guidelines on social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a press briefing at the SEAMEO Innotech in Quezon City on Wednesday, Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the Department of Education (DepEd) trusts the schools and parents that they will observe the social distancing measures amid the continuing threat of COVID-19.
Briones emphasized “Ang aming guideline is, the school, kung kaya nilang i-implement strictly ang DOH guidelines, eh ‘di magpatuloy sila ng graduation rites.”
Briones cited the DOH guidelines for a controlled mass gathering. She added if the number of the graduating class is just manageable, the school can impose one parent-one guest rule, to limit the crowd.
For schools with thousands of graduating class, Briones suggests that it should be done by batches.
In Davao City, the Ateneo de Davao University postponed all graduation, recognition, and moving-up ceremonies due to COVID-19.
In a statement, the AdDU stated “As a precautionary measure against the spread of COVID-19, and after careful consideration and consultation with key stakeholders, the University has decided to postpone all graduation, recognition, and moving-up ceremonies.”
