Graduation Rites Mark With Austerity

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Guests on the March 14 Kapehan Sa Aklan are shown above. They are (l to r) Ms. Evelyn Carillo Aranas, Principal II, Kalibo Pilot Elem. School, District I, Ms. Corazon S. Beluso, Education Supervisor, and Mr. Jesus Lim, Principal II, Kalibo Elem. School, District II with Atty. Ronquillo C. Tolentino

Kapehan Sa Aklan, a Saturday forum, on March 14 has three guest educators from the Division of Aklan, Ms. Corazon S. Beluso, Education Supervisor, Ms. Evelyn Carillo Aranas, Principal II, Kalibo Pilot Elem. School, District I and Mr. Jesus Lim, Principal II, Kalibo Elem. School, District II. The theme is "My Education: My Contribution to the Future" or "Edukasyon Ko: Handog Ko Sa Kinabukasan".

The graduation rites is scheduled any day between March 28 to April 3, 2009.

DepEd Sec. Jesli A. Lapus in a DepEd Order No. 15, Series of 2009 issued a revised guideline as contained in DepEd Order No. 8, Series of 2005 to address the need for austerity measure without sacrificing prestige and solemnity of the occasion. Some drastic measures are considered responsive to international financial meltdown in which developing countries like the Philippines are suffering the most. The guideline includes the following:

a) Public schools are not allowed to collect any graduation fee or any kind of contribution for graduation rites;

b) PTA/PTCA’s may solicit voluntary con-tributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebrations, however, teachers and principals should not be involved in the collection of said contributions. Use of such contributions for graduation shall be coordinated with and properly reported to the PTA/PTCA members;

c) No non-academic project shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation. d) No extra-ordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required. Holding the graduation within the school premises is strongly encouraged;

e) No special attire for the ceremonies should be required. Wearing of togas may be allowed subject to the approval of the PTA/PTCA officers and members representing the graduating students; and

f) contributions for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis.

Mixed reactions from the tri-media practitioners were expressed. Although there is a felt need to clamp down on excessive expenditure associated with moving up (kiddies), closing (elementary/secondary) exercises, some parents argued that important milestone in their kid’s life must be duly celebrated with color and excitement notwith-standing the cost. For instance, Kalibo Elem. School PTCA has approved individual parent’s contribution of P300. The use of togas if available could still be advantageous since they could conceal ordinary clothing, gorgeous and brings solemnity to the graduation rites.

It appears that implementation of current DepEd order may be honored in the breech since education officials could not strictly enforce its spirit and substance. As long as PTCA officers and members approve contribution amount though out of whim and caprice, education officials could be exonerated of any guilt or charge. Mr. Jesus Lim confided that due to many financial demands faced by parents associated with graduation like final exam, yearbook, Juniors–Seniors prom, it is very rare to have 80 per cent collection rate.

One sinsible recom-mendation is to request DepEd for a graduation fund which would cover cost of rental of sound system, printing of certificates, program/invitation, medals, ribbons, stage decoration, refresh-ments, and other related expenses. Under the law, public elementary and high school education are free so why overburden the parents with many contributions they could hardly afford? Impact could be tremendous since college opening of school year poses again another challenge for parents to hurdle financial difficulties. /MP