DepEd probes tension at graduation ceremony

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) is looking into an incident that occurred during a senior high school graduation ceremony in Laua-an, Antique, wherein a school principal reportedly berated the students for wearing graduation robes or togas.

“The Department regrets that this occasion, which should have been a moment of pride and celebration, became a source of distress for the learners and their families,” the DepEd said in a statement issued on April 17.

The agency was reacting to a viral video showing Venus Divinia Nietes, principal of the Col. Ruperto Abellon National School in Barangay Guisijanon, admonishing the students for supposedly violating a policy of the DepEd.

Nietes reportedly ordered the students to take off their togas and the class advisers to list down the names of those who violated the graduation dress code.

The principal reportedly threatened to call the police if the students would not take off their togas.

The video also showed a teacher appealing to Nietes to allow the students, but a colleague pulled him away as the situation started to heat up.

Nietes reportedly declared that the diplomas would not be distributed during the ceremony. She said that each student must claim the diploma in her office.

One of the graduating students hurled invectives at Nietes as others shouted “toga, toga” simultaneously.

The DepEd clarified that while the school uniform is the prescribed attire for end-of-shool-year rites, wearing of toga is not prohibited.

“Under DepEd Order 009 as reiterated in Memorandum No. 027, the prescribed attire for graduation and moving-up ceremonies includes casual or formal wear or the school uniform. The toga or sablay may be worn as an optional supplementary garment,” the agency said.