DepEd-7 tells schools to hold physical EOSY by level

CEBU, Philippines —  The Department of Education-7 has suggested holding End-of-School Year (EOSY) rites by level for public schools with a big population so they can proceed with the physical conduct of it.

DepEd-7 Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez, in an interview with The Freeman, said he already gave authority to the superintendents to approve the graduation in public schools.

Earlier, Cebu City Schools Division Superintendent, Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud, expressed that it would be very challenging for public schools to hold EOSY rites as DepEd guidelines still include physical distancing.

Jimenez said if big rallies are allowed under alert level 1 and 2 areas, there is no reason anymore why physical EOSY rites cannot be done.

Based on observations in the past, school children behaved well in moving up exercises and graduation.

“Mo-behave ra man gyud ang mga bata, dili man na kaayo mokiat ang mga bata, pormal man na, mahadlok. So, para nako dili kaayo problema na,” said Gimenez.

Jimenez also suggested separating the moving up ceremonies and graduation.

“Separate lang ang moving up ceremony. E-by level if daghan kaayo. And recognition ilahi pud, dili idungan tanan ulike before na iusa tanan, graduation, moving up ug recognition,” said Jimenez.

School officials can also look for a suitable venue that can have ample air ventilation.

“Ang Abellana, for example, they have the biggest population, pwede mag anha sa oval (Cebu City Sports Center). Daghang pamaagi still we can do a physical graduation without compromising the minimum public health protocols set by the DOH and DepEd,” Jimenez stressed.

Meanwhile, some private schools in Cebu City and other urban areas in Central Visayas have already been given the green light and conducted physical EOSY rites including recognition, moving up exercises and graduation.

Jimenez said it is easier to get clearance to hold physical graduation than to hold face-to-face classes.

He, however, could not give the exact number of schools that have already conducted physical graduation.

“Daghan na pung na-aprubahan to conduct physical graduation labi na sa urban areas. Nangahuman na gani ang uban,” said Jimenez.

The earliest that conducted a physical graduation was on the third week of April 2022.

Jimenez said there are fewer requirements in the conduct of EOSY rites like graduation, moving up, and recognition day.

“Daghan na, daghan na kay gamay ra man guy requirements nato kung ang graduation lang gyuyd e-apply kay kung katong face-to- face classes mas strikto ta kay naa man toy SSAT (schools safety assessment tool),” he further said.

For EOSY rites, schools only need certification from the school that they complied with protocols set by the Department of Health and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the concurrence of their respective local government unit and the parents, and endorsement from the division office. -  GMR (FREEMAN)