THE Department of Education (DepEd) directed public schools to hold their end-of-school-year (EOSY) activities indoors as high temperatures are forecast to persist across much of the country until the end of the month.
Under Memorandum 23-2024 released by the DepEd on May 2, EOSY rites should be conducted in indoor venues or well-ventilated areas away from the sun.
“To ensure the safety and protection of learners, teachers, and attendees, schools are advised to hold their EOSY Rites in indoor venues with proper ventilation or covered courts to avoid exposure to the extreme heat of the sun,” the memorandum read.
“Schools shall avoid scheduling their EOSY Rites during the time of the day when temperatures are at the highest,” it added.
According to DepEd spokesperson Michael Poa, the memorandum deliberately did not prescribe a time for the EOSY rites as schools were given the flexibility to schedule the activities during times with low heat.
“Kung talagang hindi natin maiwasan na walang indoor venues na magagamit or covered courts ay gawin lang sa mga oras na hindi matindi ang sikat ng araw at hindi matindi ‘yung init,” Poa said.
“We intentionally did not prescribe a time kasi iba-iba ang sitwasyon sa ating mga schools nationwide, and that is why nakausap naman ang ating mga school heads, we’re giving them flexibility,” he added.
The same memorandum also stated that expenses related to EOSY rites should be charged to the public schools’ maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
“No DepEd personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution or fee for the Graduation/Moving-Up Ceremony,” it read.
