The Department of Education (DepEd) has directed all public schools nationwide to keep graduation and moving-up ceremonies simple and cost-efficient due to the continued rise in fuel prices.
Under Memorandum No. 015 s. 2026, Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that unnecessary expenses—including extravagant attire and fees—must be avoided to ease the financial burden on parents.
In line with the directive of Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., schools are strictly prohibited from collecting any fees, and no student should be denied participation due to inability to pay.
DepEd aims to ensure that graduation remains meaningful yet affordable for the estimated 3.7 million learners set to complete School Year 2025–2026.
