The Department of Education (DepEd)-11 has called on candidates in the May 2025 midterm elections to not use graduation or moving up ceremonies as avenues for campaigning.

DepEd-11 made the call days before the school-year ends in public schools nationwide in mid-April.

“We cannot allow just any visitor to come and then campaign for someone or a candidate to campaign him/herself,” said Dodong Atillo, spokesperson of DepEd-11.

To prevent this from happening, DepEd-11 urged schools to choose their guests, particularly the speaker for the graduation or moving up ceremony, carefully.

It also urged incumbent officials who may be invited to end-of-school year rites to refrain from campaigning or politicizing the event.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

DepEd-11 reminded schools to keep their ceremony simple and meaningful.

It also reminded administrators that students who are graduating or moving up must not be made to pay for anything for the ceremony.

“Walay koleksyon because everything there should be shouldered by the Maintenance and other Operating Expenses of the school,” Atillo said.

UNINTERRUPTED VACATION

Meanwhile, after the end-of-school year rites, teachers in public schools may already avail of the 30-day uninterrupted vacation.

A teacher may choose to take a vacation straight for 30 days or to avail of the leave credits on a staggard basis.

“Gi-clarify na daan sa atong school calendar nga ang 30-day uninterrupted vacation for teachers is still implemented,” Atillo said.