In response to the continuing extreme heat, the Department of Education (DepEd) has instructed all schools in the Philippines to conduct their end-of-school-year rites indoors. This directive, outlined in DepEd Memorandum No. 023 Series of 2024 issued on May 2, applies to all EOSY activities for the school year 2023-2024, scheduled from May 29 to 31.
The memorandum emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety of students, teachers, and attendees by holding the ceremonies in indoor venues with proper ventilation or covered courts to avoid exposure to the scorching sun. It also advises schools to schedule the rites during cooler times of the day.
Furthermore, DepEd has urged schools to keep their graduation and moving-up ceremonies simple but meaningful, discouraging excessive spending, extravagant attire, or elaborate venues. Non-academic activities like field trips and promenades should not be mandatory for graduation or completion requirements.
Expenses related to the EOSY activities for public schools will be charged to their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses account. The theme for the SY 2023-2024 EOSY rites is “Kabataang Pilipino Para sa Matatag na Kinabukasan ng Bagong Pilipinas” (Filipino youth for the stronger future of the new Philippines).
The DepEd has also made adjustments to the school calendar, moving the end of the current school year to May 31 and setting the opening and closing dates for SY 2024-2025 as July 29, 2024, and May 16, 2025, respectively. DepEd’s transition to the old school calendar, with classes running from June to March and April to May designated as vacation months, aims to provide relief from the extreme heat.
Despite these changes, some schools are still under alternative delivery mode due to the extreme weather conditions. A significant number of public schools across regions in the Philippines remain under ADM, with plans to fully return to the old academic calendar by school year 2026-2027. However, in response to feedback from lawmakers and education stakeholders, DepEd has proposed to President Marcos to end the SY 2024-2025 in March 2025 and start the next school year in June.
