DepEd Orders Simple, Low-Cost Graduation Rites in Public Schools

The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed all public schools to hold simple and affordable graduation and moving-up ceremonies this year, as families continue to feel the pressure of rising fuel and commodity prices.

Through Memorandum 015, Series of 2026, Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that graduation should remain a meaningful milestone, not an added financial burden for parents. “We must prioritize the welfare of learners by keeping ceremonies simple and free of unnecessary expenses,” Angara said, noting the directive aligns with efforts to ease household costs amid economic challenges.

Under the policy, schools are prohibited from collecting any fees or contributions for graduation rites. Ceremonies are also required to be held in school grounds or covered courts, avoiding expensive venue rentals and unnecessary spending. Activities such as field trips and prom nights cannot be made requirements for graduation, and all costs must be covered through existing school maintenance funds.

Around 3.7 million students—comprising Grade 6 and Grade 12 learners—are expected to graduate at the end of the month.

DepEd also reiterated its plan to shift to a three-term academic calendar starting School Year 2026–2027, saying the reform aims to improve learning efficiency by reducing lost instructional days and streamlining school activities. The proposal, however, drew criticism from teacher groups, which warned that it could add to workload pressures and called instead for higher salaries and increased education funding.