DepEd Emphasizes Proper Decorum During Graduation Rites Amid Viral Videos

MANILA – While recognizing the importance of student self-expression, the Department of Education (DepEd) has stressed the need for proper decorum during formal ceremonies like graduation rites. This follows viral videos of graduating senior high school students from a private school in Davao del Norte dancing and performing actions deemed inappropriate during the ceremony.

In an interview on “24 Oras,” DepEd Assistant Secretary for Operations Francis Bringas emphasized that graduation ceremonies should be conducted solemnly. “They should be conducted in a solemn manner. So definitely, twerking or dancing upon the receipt of the diploma does not fall in the category of celebrating its solemnity,” Bringas stated.

Bringas also pointed out the need for sensitivity during such events, noting, “If there are two or three students dancing, they should be more sensitive that there are more parents that would want the ceremony to remain solemn.”

DepEd has yet to receive a report from its regional office regarding these videos, and it is currently determining whether the videos were taken recently or during past ceremonies at the school. The agency acknowledges that private schools have their internal policies on the conduct of school activities and will defer to the investigation of the involved school.

DepEd has already advised public schools to ensure that their graduation ceremonies observe the required solemnity, maintaining the decorum and respect that the occasion warrants.