To: Bureau Directors
Regional Directors
Schools Division/City Superintendents
Heads, Public and Private Elementary and Secondary Schools

1. The 2011 Graduation Rites shall focus on the theme “The Graduate: A Partner Towards Transformational Society, An Answer to Societal Change” (Ang Mga Magsisipagtapos: Kaagapay Tungo sa Pagbabagong Anyo Ng Lipunan, Tugon Sa Hamon Ng Sambayanan). It shall be scheduled any day between March 24-28, 2011.
2. In line with the government’s austerity program, this Office reiterates the Department’s policy on the conduct and collection of fees for graduation rites as contained in DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2005, to wit:a. Public school heads, teachers and other DepEd personnel are not allowed to collect any graduation fees or any kind of contribution for graduation rites;
   b. PTA/PTCAs may solicit voluntary contributions from their members for graduation ceremonies and celebrations, however, teachers and principals should not be involved in the collection of said contributions. Use of such contributions for graduation shall be coordinated with and properly reported to the PTA/PTCA members;
   c. No non-academic project shall be imposed as a requirement for graduation;
   d. No extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue for the ceremonies should be required; graduation rites should not be exercises in splurging and display of pomp and pageantry but should be Spartan affairs that exhort civic duties, sense of community and personal responsibilities; should be memorable, exciting and animated without the baggage of extra cost and excessive spending; and
   e. Contributions for the annual yearbook shall likewise be on a voluntary basis.
3. Furthermore, the graduation rites should be conducted in an appropriate solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their parents and shall not in anyway be used as a venue for political forum.
4. Immediate dissemination of and strict compliance with this Order is directed.BR. ARMIN A. LUISTRO, FSC (signed)
   SecretaryReferences:DepEd Order: Nos. 16, s. 2007; 13, 27, and 28, s. 2010

   To be indicated in the Perpetual Index

   under the following subjects:

   CONTRIBUTIONS
   GRADUATION
   POLICY

   DO No. 4, s. 2011