Students told: Keep graduation rites solemn

The Department of Education (DepEd) has reminded students to observe proper decorum during their end-of-school-year (EOSY) rites, such as graduation and moving-up ceremonies, to keep the occasion solemn.

- ELIZABETH MARCELO

"(EOSY rites) should be conducted in a solemn manner. So definitely, this twerking or dancing upon the receipt of the diploma does not fall in the category of celebrating its solemnity," DepEd Assistant Secretary for operations Francis Cesar Bringas said in an interview with GMA News' "24 Oras" aired on Friday night.

Bringas was referring to video clips making the rounds on social media, wherein senior high school students of Kapalong College of Technology Inc. in Davao del Norte can be seen doing some dance moves, such as twerking, death dropping and gyrating on the stage after receiving their diploma during their graduation rites.

The videos drew flak online for "inappropriate" behavior, with some putting the blame on the school for allowing the students to do such antics.

The videos were supposedly taken last year, but resurfaced on social media recently.

One of the students who appeared in the videos explained that they were "required" to do their antics before receiving their respective diplomas.