No graduation rites nationwide amid COVID-19 situation — DepEd chief Briones

Graduating classes across the country will have to skip the traditional commencement exercises this year as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Education Secretary Leonor Briones said Monday.

"Wala munang graduation ceremonies kasi hindi naman puwede talaga lalo na sa Luzon. Sa Visayas and Mindanao maraming local government ang nag-declare din ng lockdown, so dini-discourage na 'yun," Briones said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Pero makuha nila 'yung mga record nila sa school, makuha nila yung certificate nila but not necessarily magkita-kita 'yung mga lola, mga parent at mga teacher," she added.

Briones said consultations with parents and other stakeholders are being conducted regarding the opening of the upcoming school year.

"Mayroong iba gusto nila i-move to July or August ang enrollment pero ang ano namin diyan, kung i-move 'yan, permanente na 'yang i-move talaga," she added.

Further, the DepEd chief said the department is intensifying its efforts in making online classes available to more learners in the country. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News