Every year, schools are busy conducting rites for learners who have completed Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12. Schools all over the Philippines prepare for graduation or moving-up rites, which are solemn ceremonies that acknowledge learners who have completed curricular requirements. These ceremonies mark the transition period in their academic life and a milestone to celebrate. Hence, the Department of Education (DepEd) ensures the proper conduct of these rites by issuing the DepEd Order 9, series 2023.
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This policy enclosed the implementing guidelines that schools nationwide should follow when conducting the End-of-School-Year (EOSY) Rites for the K to 12 Basic Education Program. It includes procedures, dress codes, and other policies that to follow. Through this order, schools and their personnel can fully implement a proper ceremony for learners and their parents, ensuring strict adherence to DepEd’s mandate and mission.
What is DepEd Order 9
Issued by the Department of Education (DepEd) on March 28, 2023, DepEd Order (DO) 9, series (s.) 2023, titled “An Order Updating the Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year (EOSY) Rites” is an amendment and reissuance of DepEd Order (DO) 2, s. 2022 or the Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year Rites. DO 2, s. 2022, guides public and private elementary and secondary schools throughout the Philippines in the annual conduct of EOSY Rites.
An Order Updating the Multi-Year Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year Rites
Scope
This order will serve as DepEd’s standing policy in providing guidelines for conducting the annual K to 12 EOSY rites. The guidelines enclosed in DepEd Order 9, series 2023, apply to public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide.
Procedures
Here are the procedures under this policy:
1. The DepEd should implement the annual full face-to-face conduct of the following K to 12 Basic Education EOSY Rites:
2. While conducting the annual full in-person EOSY rites, observance of physical distancing is no longer mandatory.
3. During the ceremonies, wearing face masks is no longer required and should be left to the discretion of learners and their parents.
Use the DepEd Memorandum to publish the upcoming annual themes for these ceremonies.
DepEd reiterates the following policies:
- Graduation and Moving Up Ceremonies should be simple and meaningful. While these rites mark a milestone in the lives of the learners, perform these ceremonies without excessive spending, extravagant attire, or extraordinary venues.
- Non-academic projects articulated in DO No. 66, s. 2017, titled “Implementing Guidelines on the Conduct of Off-Campus Activities,” such as attendance to field trips, film showings, JS Promenade, and other school events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or completion.
- The format of the certificate of completion and diploma must conform with Enclosure 1, pages 44 to 46 of DO No. 31, s. 2019, titled “The Department of Education Service Marks and Visual Identity Manual.”
PIC 2
- Guidelines on awarding honors to learners from Grades 1 to 12 as specified in DO No. 36, s. 2016, titled “Policy Guidelines on Awards and Recognition for the K to 12 Basic Education Program,” should be followed.
- Moving up or graduating rites should be conducted in a proper ceremony ideal for the graduating students and their families. Also, it should not be utilized as a political forum, strictly adhering to DO No. 48, s. 2018, titled “Prohibition of Electioneering and Partisan Political Activity.
- No DepEd personnel should be permitted to collect any contribution or graduation/moving-up fee.
4. For Public Schools – All expenses related to the activity should be charged on the school’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). Meanwhile, Alternative Learning System (ALS) may charge the incurred expenses for conducting the activity to the Calendar Year 2023 ALS Program Support Funds.
5. For Private Schools, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), Technical Vocational Institutions (TVIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) – Private schools, HEIs, TVIs, SUCs, and LUCs that offer basic education or any grade levels, may choose to adopt the provision of this policy as the basis in conducting their graduation/moving up ceremonies.
6. Casual/formal wear or school uniform should remain the recommended moving up/graduation attire, and Toga (sablay) as an additional garb.
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Monitoring and Evaluation
The School Heads should supervise the implementation of guidelines specified in this policy in their respective schools to guarantee that concerned stakeholders in the school community know about the provisions. Meanwhile, the Regional Offices and Schools Division Offices should monitor the compliance of educational institutions with this policy. Through the Office of the Director IV of the Bureau of Learning Delivery (BLD), submit feedback to the DepEd for evaluating the policy to improve its design and implementation.
Effectivity/Transitory Provisions
Upon approval, DepEd Order 9, series 2023, should take immediate effect and remain in force throughout the K-to-12 Basic Education Program unless amended, repealed, or rescinded. Document this order using certified copies with the University of the Philippines Law Center-Office of the National Administrative Register (UPLC-ONAR), UP Diliman, Quezon City. On the other hand, all DepEd Orders, Memoranda, and other issuances, rules, regulations, and provisions that conflict with these guidelines are herewith modified, repealed, or rescinded appropriately.
DepEd Order 9 Full Memo Download
To access and download the complete PDF of DepEd Order No. 9, series of 2023, a direct link is available on this page. By clicking the download button below, you can easily obtain a copy of DepEd Order 9 in PDF format.
Full PDF DepEd 9 memo file: https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/DO_s2023_009.pdf
Video: DepEd Order No. 9, s. 2023
As discussed in the video, the DepEd Order 9, series 2023, updates the implementing guidelines on the annual conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-of-School-Year (EOSY) Rites. It adheres to the Matatag Agenda of DepEd to continually improve the K to 12 Basic Education Program and bolster the values of Filipinos.
This order provides an updated procedure for conducting the EOSY rites for Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10, and Grade 12 learners who completed the curriculum requirements at the end of the school year. Hence, schools should follow these guidelines when conducting EOSY rites in the upcoming years.
Summary
In short, all concerned stakeholders should learn about the implementing guidelines specified in DepEd Order 9, series 2023. It will guide public and private elementary and secondary schools to conduct the annual EOSY rites appropriately. Moreover, this policy encloses other rules to follow before and during the moving up/graduation ceremonies to remain uniform with other schools. Therefore, teaching and non-teaching staff from all over the Philippines, whether private or public, elementary and secondary schools should conform to this policy.