By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

With the 2016-2017 academic year coming to a close this month, the Department of Education Division of Bacolod City (DepEd-Bacolod), yesterday, reminded schools in the city to keep graduation rites as simple as possible.
Bacolod City Schools Division Superintendent Cynthia Demavivas said, under the DepEd Order No.8 Series of 2017, all schools should avoid elegant celebrations for their graduation rites.
The order also notes, schools are not allowed to collect graduation fees from parents, as it is supposed to be included in their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).
Demavivas explained there is a MOOE budget of P250 per graduate and it should be used for graduation expenses.
Teachers were also reminded it is not required for graduating students to wear a toga and could use a school uniform instead./WDJ