Joshua Heohne, Unsplash 

MANILA – The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) on Friday said graduation and moving up rites should be kept simple, following viral social media posts of “money garlands” given to students. 

While parents are not banned from giving unique gifts such as a “money bouquet” or “money garland” to their children, National PTA executive vice president Lito Senieto urged them to be considerate towards students who do not come from financially well-off families  

“Lalo na po sa ating public schools naman, karamihan naman d’yan mga nakaraos lang, so anong tingin ng bata ‘pag nakakita sya ng ganoon? Iniisip n’ya na baka in a few months hindi siya makapag-enroll,” Senieto told TeleRadyo Serbisyo. 

“Yung iba naman sa magulang, they feel pity sa kanilang anak dahil wala silang mai-offer… Yun ang hindi magandang tingnan kasi yung magulang nalulumo rin ‘pag nakita mo na lalo na’t katabi ng anak mo yung batang ‘yun,” he said. 

He added, “There is a directive from DepEd (Department of Education) that kailangan po meager lang yung paggawa ng graduation, moving up [ceremony] sa bawat school – hindi magarbo kumbaga.” 

The DepEd earlier this month reminded schools to hold   "simple yet meaningful" graduation and moving up exercises as the current academic year comes to a close.

"So, ibig sabihin lang niyan they should be avoiding extravagant events at hindi kailangan ng mga special attires para magkaroon ng makabuluhan na graduation," Education Assistant Secretary and Deputy Spokesperson Francis Cesar Bringas said in a televised briefing.

"At definitely ipapatupad natin iyong no collection policy natin – so, there should be no contributions coming from learners or from parents in the conduct of our year-end exercises dahil iyan naman ay tutustusan ng ating school MOOE – nakapaloob iyan sa budget ng ating mga eskuwelahan," he added.

Teachers' group asks DepEd for additional budget for conduct of graduation, moving-up ceremonies

The education official also noted an earlier DepEd advisory to hold their year-end activities indoors and adjust their schedule due to the extremely hot weather.

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