Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School Year (EOSY) Rites for SY 2021-2022 in Light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School Year (EOSY) Rites for SY 2021-2022 in Light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The Department of Education issues DepEd Memorandum No. 43, s. 2022 or the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School Year (EOSY) Rites for School Year 2021-2022 in Light of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

With the theme, "Gradweyt ng K to 12:
Masigasig sa mga Pangarap at Matatag sa mga Pagsubok (K to 12 Graduates: Pursuing Dreams and Fostering Resilience in the Face of Adversity)," this year's EOSY Rites emphasizes that despite the risks and uncertainty brought by COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as the challenges it has posed to education, Filipino learners remain resolute in their desire to build a better future anchored on a clear vision.

For more information, read DepEd Memorandum No. 43, s. 2022:

10 MAY 2022

DepEd MEMORANDUM No. 043.S. 2022

CONDUCT OF THE K TO 12 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM END-OF-SCHOOL YEAR RITES FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2021-2022 IN LIGHT OF THE COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY


To:
Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries Minister, Basic, Higher and Technical Education, BARMM
Bureau and Service Directors
Regional Director
Schools Division Superintendents
Public and Private Elementary and Secondary School Heads
ALS Community Learning enters
All Others Concerned

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) announces the conduct of the School Year (SY) 2021-2022 End-of-School Year (EOSY) Rites for Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 learners who shall satisfactorily meet the curriculum requirements at the end of SY 2021-2022, including the learners who passed the portfolio assessment in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) Elementary and Junior High School levels, by virtue of the Joint Memorandum DM-OUCI-2021-049, and ALS Senior High School (SHS) learners who shall meet the curriculum requirements.

2. The theme of the SY 2021-2022 EOSY rites shall be Gradweyt ng K to 12: Masigasig sa mga Pangarap at Matatag sa mga Pagsubok (K to 12 Graduates: Pursuing Dreams and Fostering Resilience in the Face of Adversity), which emphasizes that despite the risks and uncertainty brought by COVID-19 Pandemic, as well as the challenges it has posed to education, Filipino learners remain resolute in their desire to build a better future anchored on a clear vision.

3. With reference to DepEd Order (DO) No. 029, s. 2021, also known as School Calendar and Activities for School Year 2021-2022, Quarter 4 shall end on June 24, 2022. For schools that did not suspend classes, the EOSY rites shall be any of the dates from June 27 to July 2, 2022. Private schools may implement the schedule as reflected in their respective School Calendars.

4. Schools that declared suspension of classes in response to DM-CI-2022-009, Reiterating the Policy on Academic Ease and Allowing the Suspension of Classes and Other Teaching-Related Activities in the Midst of the Surge in COVID-19 Cases, shall make the necessary adjustments to the school calendar to ensure that the number of days in the current school year remains consistent with Republic Act (RA) No. 11480 (An Act Amending Section 3 of RA 7797, Otherwise Known as "An Act to Lengthen the School Calendar from Two Hundred (200) Days to Not More than Two Hundred Twenty (220) Class Days"). If classes were suspended for one week, then the EOSY rites may be on any of the dates from July 4 to 9, 2022.

5. In assessing the viability of conducting SY 2021-2022 EOSY rites, public health and safety are still deemed the topmost concern amidst the ongoing progress in COVID 19 testing and vaccination. Hence, the scenarios projected by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID), complemented by other credible sources and DepEd risk assessment, shall be considered. Should the public health situation prevent the conduct of this year's EOSY rites within the said week, schools, in consultation with the Parents Teachers Association (PTA), may choose to reschedule or forego the activity. Private schools shall be guided by their approved or revised school calendar.

6. To ensure the protection of the health, safety, and well-being of learners, teachers, personnel, as well as parents, and other stakeholders, the face to face conduct of the EOSY rites is highly discouraged. However, schools and Community Learning Centers (CLCs) in Alert Levels 1 and 2 and in consultation with the local government unit as well as parents/guardians may opt to hold a limited face to face or hybrid ceremony with strict compliance to the IATF protocols to give learners a sense of normalcy without risking their health and safety. Schools must obtain parental consent for learners to attend the face to face ceremony. When applicable, schools in Alert levels 3, 4, and 5 shall hold their virtual EOSY rites, and with the consent of the parents, they may livestream the EOSY rites via appropriate online platforms.

7. The following measures must be strictly observed at all times:

a. Face masks must be worn throughout the entire event,

b. At least a one-meter safe distance must be observed between individuals,

c. Participants must be seated at their assigned seats only, 

d. Handshake or any other forms of physical contact is discouraged, and.

e. Only the parents or one designated guardian shall be permitted to accompany a mover or candidate for graduation.

8. The virtual conduct of the EOSY rites may be an option for schools and CLCS, whenever feasible. Schools and CLCS may prepare a short program that will run in not more than two hours in consideration of the internet connectivity required. Only the completers/candidates for graduation, together with their parents/guardians, teachers, school officials, and invited guests shall be present during the virtual rites. Schools, with the consent of parents, have the option to livestream the virtual EOSY rites via appropriate online platforms.

9. The recognition rites for other grade levels may also be conducted virtually or on a limited face to face setup. However, if done on a limited face to face set up, it must be conducted separately from the graduation rites or moving up/completion ceremony to ensure physical distancing and adherence to IATF health protocols.

10. Schools shall ensure that the EOSY rites are conducted in a solemn and dignified manner and shall not be used as a political forum.

a. DepEd reiterates the strict compliance with DO 48, s. 2018 titled Prohibition of Electioneering and Partisan Political Activity.

b. Invited guest speakers must focus their messages on the theme of this year's EOSY rites. They must be advised not to campaign for anyone or any political party. as

c. Schools shall ensure that no election-related paraphernalia, such streamers, posters, stickers, or other election-related items are distributed or displayed within the school premises or online.

11. For the public schools, expenses to be incurred relative to the conduct of the activity shall be charged to the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) of the school. No DepEd official or personnel shall be allowed to collect graduation fees or any kind of contribution for moving up/completion ceremony, or recognition rites.

12. The Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year Rites enclosed in DO 002, s. 2020 remains in force and in effect, except for the grant of academic awards and Performance Awards for Kindergarten. Separate guidelines amending certain provisions in DO 018, s. 2021 titled Interim Guidelines on Giving of Awards and Recognition in Light of the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan for School Year 2020-2021 shall be issued.

13. For queries or clarifications, please contact the Bureau of Learning Delivery, 4th Floor, Bonifacio Building, Department of Education Central Office, DepEd Complex, Meralco Avenue, Pasig City through email at bld.od@deped.gov.ph or at telephone numbers (02) 8637-4346 and (02) 8537-4347.

14. Immediate dissemination of this Memorandum is desired.

LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES
Secretary

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