Graduation rites at this Pangasinan school to be held in classrooms

 

It doesn't get much more economical than this.

 

Amid the Department of Education's reminder to keep costs of graduation rites down, a school in Pangasnian is holding this year's graduation rites inside its classrooms.

 

The Urdaneta One Central School decided to do have Grade 6 recognized in their own classrooms instead of on a stage.

 

But some graduates and their parents are not quite on board with the idea, GMA Dagupan's Joyce Segui reported Monday on GMA News TV's "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon."

 

"Gusto naming umpisahan at para magaya ng lahat, ipakita sa lahat na ang aming iskwelahan, ang pampublikong iskwelahan, ay hindi paaralan ng mayayaman kundi paaralan ng mga mahihirap. Kaya hindi namin kailangan ang bonggang recognition," said Rodolfo Palaylay Jr., president of the teachers' club.

 

The report noted Grade VI pupils may not even need graduation rites as they are heading for Grade 7 under the K-12 program.

 

Still, some graduating students felt it would still be better to have the feeling of marching at a graduation rite.

 

"Okay lang naman kaso po hindi po kasi magiging memorable po, para sa amin na sa classroom lang nag-graduate. Depende naman po yan sa decision ng mga magulang at principal," said Raeann Manongsong.

 

Many parents were also surprised over the scrapping of the activity.

 

"Kahit papano maganda pa rin ang aakyat ang mga bata sa stage... Yung pinaghirapan nilang isang taon, yan ang reward nila," said one. — Joel Locsin/JDS, GMA News