CHED-6 reminds schools: No costly graduation rites

ILOILO CITY, Philippines — More than 40,000 college students in Western Visayas will march for the graduation this year, prompting the Commission on Higher Education-Region 6 (CHED-6) to remind private and public institutions to observe austerity measures in the conduct of graduation rites.

"The commission is reminding the HEIs to keep their graduation ceremonies simple, solemn and free from politics," said CHED-6 officer-in-charge Rex Casiple.

Casiple statement was supported with the Administrative Order 103 dated March 31, 2004, "Directing Continued Adoption of Austerity Measures in the Government," and in consideration of the present economic difficulties of most graduating students especially in the areas devastated by natural calamities, thus, the HEIs shall hold austere graduation rites.

"Colleges and universities must not host graduation rites in expensive venues," said Casiple. Adding that graduating students must not be required to attend the ceremonies in special or ostentatious attires, nor should they be required to pay for contributions and/or purchase expensive memorabilia.

He also said that HEIs must not require students to submit non-academic projects as requirement for graduation and should not also require students to pay excessive contributions for the yearbook and other related items without consultations, or hold the ceremonies in luxurious venues.

"Not all students can afford expensive contribution that's why we come up with this announcement earlier," he said. (FREEMAN)