Public schools nationwide can conduct their graduation and moving up rites in July, the Department of Education said.

In a memorandum released Monday, DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones said the conduct of end-of-school-year (EOSY) rites for Kindergarten, Grade 6, Grade 10 and Grade 12 learners who satisfactorily met the requirements for the entire school year may be held between July 12 to 16, 2021.

Public schools and community learning centers (CLCs) should conduct their end-of-school-year rites within the dates.

Under the department’s calendar for school year 2020 to 2021, the fourth quarter will end on July 10, 2021.

Meantime, private schools may implement their graduation and moving up rites following the schedule in their school calendars.

“To ensure the protection of the health and safety of learners, teachers and personnel, as well as parents and other stakeholders, any face-to-face ceremony is not allowed,” Briones said.

“The virtual conduct of the EOSY rites may be an option for schools and CLCs, whenever feasible,” she added.

Briones said online EOSY rites must run “in less than two hours considering the internet connectivity that will be consumed”.

The virtual rites must be attended by the students, parents or guardians, teachers, and school administrators only.