DepEd to adjust graduation rites sked in Metro Manila due to community quarantine

Graduation rites of students in Metro Manila will be rescheduled as the region has been placed under community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday.

"Mag-aadjust kami accordingly para lang dito sa Maynila at sa mga areas na may suspension of classes," DepEd Undersecretary Alain Pascua said at a press conference in Malacañang.

Schools outside the National Capital Region and other areas which did not implement class suspensions due to COVID-19 may still follow the directive of Education Secretary Leonor Briones to hold the end-of-school year rites within April 13 to 17, 2020.

"Every school can have its own graduation or moving up ceremony in accordance to the framework of social distancing. Sila-sila mismo ang mag-iimplement niyan," Pascua said.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night announced that class suspension in Metro Manila will be extended until April 12, 2020 as the country raised Code Red Sub-Level 2 over the COVID-19 threat.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has repeatedly urged education officials to postpone the conduct of graduation ceremonies to limit movement and prevent the possible transmission of the highly-contagious virus. — RSJ, GMA News