The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday issued an order lifting the mandatory wearing of face masks and observance of physical distancing during the in-person end-of-school-year rites (EOSY) of Kinder to Grade 12 (K-12).
"In the annual conduct of full in-person EOSY rites, observance of physical distancing and wearing of face mask shall not be mandatory," it stated in its DepEd Order No. 009 s. 2023.
It also said that it is up to the schools when it will hold the moving up ceremonies of Kindergarten and Grade 10 as well as the graduation of Grade 6 and Grade 12 learners this year.
But DepEd noted that it must not be earlier than July 10 and not later than June 14.
"Private schools that started earlier and public and private schools with an extended school year due to unforeseen circumstances shall be guided by their approved revised school calendar," it said.
For this year's ceremonies, the education department said the theme shall be focused on "Gradweyt ng K to 12: Hinubog ng Matatag na Edukasyon (K to 12 Graduates: Molded through a resilient educational foundation)".
