Bepublihe ng Pitipinag

Depsrtment of @Ducstion

DepEdORDER
No. , s.2O23

AX ORDER I'PDATIITG THI UT'LTI.YEAR IUPLEUEITTII|G GI'IDELIITES OI{

THE COITDUCT OF THE K TO 12 BASIC EDUCATIOIT PROGRAU TND-OF.
SCHOOLYEAR RITES

To Undersecretaries
Assistant Secretaries
Minister, Basic, Higher, and Technical Education, BARMM
Bureau, Service and Regional Directors
Schools Division/ City Superintendents
Public Elementar5r and Secondary School Heads
All Others Concemed

1. The Department of Education (DepEd) issues the enclosed 'An Order

Updatiss the Iaplemeattag Gutdeliaes on the Conduct of the K to 12
Baslc Educatlon Ptognm Ead-of€chool-Year IDOSY) Rltes' as an
amendment to and reissuance of DepEd Order (DO) 2, s. 2O2O, entitled ulti-
Year Implemeatlag Crrddetlaes on the Coaduct of the K to 12 Baslc
Education Progen Ead-of€chool-Year Rites, which provides guidance to
both public and private elementary and secondar5r schools nationwide in the
annual conduct of EOSY rites.

2. In the annual conduct of full in-person EOSY rites, observance of physical

distancing and wearing of face mask shall not be mandatory.
3. As stipulated in DO 34, s.2022, entitled *hool Calend.ar and. Adiuities for the
Scltool Year 2O22-2023, the classes shall formally end on July 07 , 2O23. E,ach
school has the discretion to elect the date for the holding of this year's rites
Bot earEer +h.n July 10 and not latet than JuIy 14, 2O23. Private schools
that started earlier and public and private schools with an extended school
year due to unforeseen circumstances shall be guided by their approved
revised school calendar.

4. For this School Year 2022-2023, the EOSY rites shall focus on the theme:
Gradrregt ,tg X to 72: Htrut@ ng Udtatog na Ed;u,lcasgoa lK to 12
Graduates: Molded thtough a Resilient Educational Foundationf, which
emphasizes that graduation is not only a celebratory milestone but also a
symbol of resilience, agency, and grit of Filipino leamers honed by a solid
basic education system tJ:at is responsive to the changing needs of time.
Further, it highlights that every learner's achievement mirrors an education
t]at succeeds qrnid all difficulties.
5. Ttre subsequent annual themes for these ceremonies shall be published in a
DepEd Memorandum.
 6. The DepEd reiterates tlle following policies:

a Diccouraging exceesive speadlng, extravagart attire, or

e:<traordlaarlr veaue for the conduct of Giraduatlon and Moviag Up
Cereuoaies;
b DO lto. 66, t. 2017, entitled fmlalencatlng (hlJdellnes on the Conduct
oJ Off-Canps Ac'tivitleS

c DO IIo. 31, s. 2O19, entitled The Departntcnt oJ Educatlon Senrice

Matlcs and Vtsual ldcntlty qnuq.l (Enclost ue 1, pages 44-46);

d DO ItIo. 36, s. 2O16, entitled Poltca @utdellnes on Aunrds qtd

Recqnltloa Jor the K to 72 Bastc Edlrcd.lon Progra n1
e DO No. 48, s. 2O18, entitled Prohlbltlon of Ele&loneet'lng and
Pattt*n Polltlcal Acthtltyi; and
f. Prohlbltiag aay DepDd perrotrlcl to collect aly t{nd of contrlbutloa
or graduatlon/moving up fee.

7. Private Schools, Higber Education Institutions (HEIs), Technical Vocational

Institutions (TVIs), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), and Local
Universities and Colleges (LUCs) olfering basic education or €rny grade levels
thereof, may opt to adopt tJre provisions of this DO as basis in the conduct of
their moving up/ graduation ceremonies.

8. This Order shall take effect immediately upon its approval and shall remain
in force and in e{fect for the duration of t}re K-to-12 Basic Education Program,
unless sooner repealed, arnended or rescinded. Certified copies of this Order
shatl be filed with t]le University of the Philippines l,aw Center-Office of the
National Artministrative Register (UPLC-ONAR), lJp lilimsn, Quezon City.

9. All DepEd Orders, Memoranda, and other related issuances, rules, regulations
and provisions which are inconsistent with these guidelines are hereby
repealed, rescinded, or modified accordingly.

lo.Imrnediate dissemination of and strict compliance with tl.is Order is dAected.

lth,lq.*t42,
Z. DUTERTE
Vice President of the Republic of tlw Philippines
Secretary of tle Department of Mucation

Encls:
As stated

References:
As stated

To be indicated in the Perpetual Index

under the following subjects:
(Enclosure to DepEd Order No. , s. 2023)

(Enclosure to DepEd Order No. , s.2O23l

I'PDATED IUPLEUEIITIITG GI'IDELIISES OIT THE ANITUAL COIIDUCI OF THE K

TO 12 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAU END-OF-SCHOOLYEAR RITES

I. Ratlooale

Througlr the MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa Agenda, the

Department of Education (DepEd) pledged to be matatag for and with our
learners, educators, partners, and stakeholders in establishing a nation that
values its youth, and a Filipino youth that values its nation. In alignment with
this fratnework, the DepEd shall continually inprove the K to 12 Basic
Education Progra'n to achieve its mission, as provided for in DepEd Order (DO)
No. 21, s. 2O19, to strengtJren tJle values of the Filipino people, develop a strong
sense of nationalism, develop productive citizens who contribute to the building
of a progressive, just, and humane society, ensure environmental sustainability,
and cultivate global partnerships for developmeot.

T?re annual conduct of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-Of-School-

Year (EOSY) Rites serves to commemorate the fruits of ttre collective effort of the
whole school community to provide learners with a holistic preparation to
pursue higher education, entrepreneurship, middle level skills development or
employment with increased chance of success. Moreover, these rites are solemn
ceremonies of acknowledging learners who have successfully met, or even
exceeded curricular requirements, and mark the transition to subsequent
stages and specific milestones of the basic education program.

In order to provide guidelines on the annual implementation of tJ:e conduct of

the EOSY Rites, the DepEd issued DO 2, s. 2O2O, entitled "Multi-Yeor
Implementing Gtidelines on tle Condud of the Kto 12 ksb Mucntion Program
End-of-*hool-Year Ftes"- Howwer, in light of the rec€nt developments and
poliry adjustments, the DepEd issues this Order to update the guidelines on
the implementation of the K to 12 Basic Education Program End-Of-School-
Year-Rites. The DepEd moves to allow and encourage the fuIl face-to-face
conduct of the moving up and graduation ceremonies starting this school year
2022-2023. Further, the observance of physical distancing and wearing of face
mask is no longer mandatory

II. Scope

This poliry shall be the DepEd's standing policy in providing guidance in the
annual conduct of the K to 12 end-of-school-year rites, and shall be applicable
to both public and private elementary and secondar5r schools nationwide.

III. Policy Statemeat

This DepEd Order provides the updated procedures for conducting moving up
and graduation ceremonies for Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade lO, and Grade 12
learners who fulfill6d ths curriculum requirements at t]:e end of the school year.
fV. Procedures

1 . The DepEd shall implement tire annual full face-to-face conduct of the
following K to 12 Baslc Educatlon Prcgram End-of-School-Year (DOSY|
Rites:

Grade Level Complcters Comlrlctcri Proof of Completioa

Kindergarten
Kindergarten Moving Up
Certificate
Grade 6 Graduation Elementary Certificate
Grade lO Moving Up
Junior Higlr School
Certificate
Grade 12 learners from
a. Schools with DepEcl-
approved Kto 12
transition plans
b. Schools with permit
Graduation
Senior Higlr School
to operate Senior Diplotna
High School since
20t4
c- International schools
with K to 12 Program

2. In the annual conduct of full in-person EOSY rites, observance of physical

distancing shall no longer be mandatory.

3. The wearing of face mask during tJ:e ceremonies is not required and shall be
left to the discretion of the learners and their parents.

4. The subsequent annual themes for these ceremonies shall be published in

a DepEd Memorandum.

5. The DepEd reiterates the following policies:

a, Graduation and Moving Up Ceremonies should be simple yet

meaningfirl. While these rites mark a milestone in the lives of the
learners, these should be conducted without excessive spending,
extravagant attire, or extraordinar5r venue.

b Non-academic projects articulated in DO No. 66, s. 2017, entitled

Impbneatbtg (htldcltttcs oa thc Condud of Otf-Canngts Acf,ird'tles
such as attendance to field trips, filrn showing, JS Promenade and other
school events should not be imposed as requirements for graduation or
completion.

C The format of the certificate of completion and diploma must be in

accordance with Enclosure l, pages 44 to 46 of DO No. 31, s. 2O19,
entitled Tlu Depardncat of D&tcrfion *nie Uarks lrnd Vlsurrl
Identttg tanuo.L
For private elementary and Ttre use of the enclosed completion
secondar5r schools, technical and certificate and diploma template is
 vocational institutions fIVIs), and optional. The signature of the
higher education institutions ([IEIs) school head is required, while the
including state universities and sip.ature of the Schools Division
colleges (SUCs) and local Superintendent is not required.
universities and colleges (LUCs)
The use of the cited completion
For public elementaqr and
certificat€ and diploma templates is
secondaqr schools
requlrea.

d Guidelines on awarding of honors to learners from Grade I to 12 as

stipulated in DO No. 36, s. 2O16, entitled Policg Guldellaes on
Auards and, Recognltlon for thc K to 12 fustc Plucatlon Program
shall be followed.

e Moving up or graduating rites shall be conducted in an appropriate

solemn ceremony befitting the graduating students and their family
and shall not be used as a political forum, in strict compliance with DO
No. 48, s. 2O18 entitled Prohlbltlon ol Dlccttoneerlng qnd Partisan
Polltlcal A&lolty.

f No DepEd personnel shall be allowed to collect any kind of contribution

or graduation/moving up fee.

6. For Public Schools

Expenses relative to the activity shall be charged against the school's

Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE). For the Alternative
l,earning System (ALS), expenses to be incurred for ttre conduct of the
activit5r may be charged to the Calendar Year 2023 ALS Program Support
Funds.

7. For Hvate Schools, }Ilgher Education Iastitutioas lEEIsl, Tecbnical

Vocatlonal Ir!3titutiotrE (TVIsl, State Uaivereitlee and Colleges (SUCsl,
aad Local Universitles and Colleges (LUCsl

Private schools, HEIs, TVIs, SUCs, and LUCs offering basic education or any
grade levels tlereot may opt to adopt tJre provisions of this DO as basis in
the conduct of their moving up/graduation ceremonies.
8. Casual or forrral wear, or school uniform, shall remain as tJre recommended
moving up/graduation attire. Toga or sablag is allowed to be worn as an
additional garb.

V. Monitorfug aad haluatiol

The School Heads shall be primarily responsible for supervising the
implementation of this policy in their schools, ensuring tlat the provisions are
communicated to all concerned stakeholders in tJle school com:ounit5r.

The Regional Offi.ces and Schools Division Offices shall monitor the compliances
of schools with this Order.
 Feedback shall be submitted to the DepEd, through the OfEce of the Ditector
IV of the Bureao olLoalng DeDvery lBLDl, to be used in evaluating the policy
for continuous improvement of its design and implementation. The Offrce of the
Director IV of tJ:e BLD may be reached throug! email at bld.od(4de gov.ph
or at telephone numbers a637 4346 atd 86374347 -

VI. Effecttwtty/Transitory Provlsions

This Order shall take effect irnrnediately upon its approval and shall remain in
force and in effect for t.I.e duration of the K-to-12 Basic Education Program,
unless sooner repealed, ar"ended or rescinded. Certified copies of this Order
shall be filed with the University of the Philippines Law Center-O{Ece of the
National Administrative Register (UPLC-ONAR), UP Di'liman, Quezon Cit5z.

All DepEd Orders, Memoranda, and other related issuances, rules, regulations
and provisions which are inconsistent with these guidelines are hereby
repealed, rescinded, or modified accordingly.

VII. References

DcpErl (Hcr ?1, * 2lXl12= '*lml C;alandar and Adivities for tle *hal Year 2022-
2023',

DcpEd O'rdcr Ifo . 2, t. 2O2(}. 'Muti-Year Inplenenting Guidetines on the Condud of the
K to 12 Basic Edndion Prqnan Bnd-of-*hoolYear R'nes"

DcpEd O,rdct llo- 31,..2Ol9 'Te Dqotvnt of mrtfion fuuie Marks and Vsuaj
Idenlitg Marual'

DcpEd ()ldcr tro- tl6, r- 2{llt: 'Prolalffiion of Hdimerbq and Partisan Potttical
Adiuiv'
DcpEd Ordcr ItIo. 12, r. 2O18: 'Reusbn to DepEd Order No. 6, s. 2O18 (*hool Year
2017-2018 K to 12 tusic Mrcdion Program Erlld-of-*)tool-Yeu Hesf

DcpEd Orrlcr IIo. 6, r 2O18: '*hml Year 2O17-2018 Kto 12 tusic Muation Program
En d-of-*ftool- Year R'ttes'

DcpEd Otdcr lto . 6, t ZOlTz 'nnplananting tuidetin".s on tle bndtd of Ofr-Catnpus

Adivitie!
DcpEd (}r.dcr IIo. 8, l. 2O17: '*hml Year 2O1G2O17 K to 12 tusic Mucation Program
End of ehool Year Rites'

DcpEd O,rdcr f,o- 36, r- 2IlI.6:'hticE Guidetirres on Aunnds and Rugnition for the K
tD 12 fusic ffiidnion k9grad

DcpEd (Hcr lto.7, r- 2()16z '&tool Yw 2O192016 Kto 12 tusic Edll@tion Program
End of SrImlYerr. R'ttes'

DcpEd O,rder io.9, * 2lJ142. '2014 Graduation Rites'

DcpErl Ordcr f,o.9,.- 2(113: '2O13 Graduation Ntes'

DcpEd Otdcr llo.9, t- 2Ol2z '2O12 Graduation Rites"