Students told: Keep graduation rites solemn

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded students to observe proper decorum during their end-of-school-year (EOSY) rites, such as graduation and moving-up ceremonies, to keep the occasion solemn.

“(EOSY rites) should be conducted in a solemn manner. So definitely, this twerking or dancing upon the receipt of the diploma does not fall in the category of celebrating its solemnity,” DepEd Assistant Secretary for operations Francis Cesar Bringas said in an interview with GMA News’ “24 Oras aired on Friday night.

Bringas was referring to video clips making the rounds on social media, wherein senior high school students of Kapalong College of Technology Inc. in Davao del Norte can be seen doing some dance moves, such as twerking, deathdropping and gyrating on the stage after receiving their diploma during their graduation rites.

The videos drew flak online for “inappropriate” behavior, with some putting the blame on the school for allowing the students to do such antics.

The videos were supposedly taken last year, but resurfaced on social media recently.

One of the students who appeared in the videos explained that they were “required” to do their antics before receiving their respective diplomas.

“Required po sa’min to do an act after giving the diploma. Cool po yung school namin and nakikisabay (Our school is cool and goes with the trend),” the student with username @sofianina1wrote on her TikTok account.

She also posted on her TikTok account a video of her and her fellow students practicing their moves before the actual ceremony.

Bringas said that while the DepEd recognizes the students’ right to express themselves, they should also be sensitive of other people around them, especially during events that are supposed to be formal and solemn.

“In fact, if there are two or three students dancing, they should be more sensitive that there are more parents that would want the ceremony to remain solemn,” he added, noting that the DepEd is still finding out when the video was really taken.

Since the incident took place in a private school, the DepEd will give the school the autonomy to address the matter or to conduct its own investigation, according to the education official.

Besides, Bringas said the concerned DepEd Regional Office has yet to receive any complaint or report on the incident.

“We acknowledge the fact that our private schools have internal policies regarding the conduct of all activities inside their school, so we will defer to the investigation, if ever, of the private school on that particular case based on their existing school rules,” he said.

In a report on May 27, local radio station iFM 93.9 Davao said Kapalong College of Technology Inc. has already issued an apology for the incident.

“In an official statement from the school, they expressed deep regret for any distress or harm caused to those who watched the video of the ceremony. They acknowledged that it has become a hot topic online,” iFM 93.9 Davao reported in the vernacular, translated to English.

“The school mentioned that they have already taken appropriate actions to address the matter and ensure that such issues do not happen again in the future,” the report added.

Last May 2, the DepEd issued Memorandum No. 023, Series of 2024 reminding all schools to keep their graduation and moving up ceremonies “simple but meaningful.”

“While these rites mark a milestone in the lives of the learners, graduation and moving-up ceremonies shall be conducted without excessive spending, extravagant attire or extraordinary venues,” the agency said.

The DepEd also stressed that attendance at non-academic activities such as field trips, film showings, junior-senior proms and other similar school events must not be compulsory and “shall not be imposed as graduation or completion requirements.”

For public schools, the agency said that expenses related to EOSY activities shall be charged to their respective maintenance and other operating expenses account, “subject to existing guidelines.”

“No DepEd personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for the graduation/moving-up ceremony,” the DepEd warned.