Graduation rites to proceed in strife-torn areas in Maguindanao – DepEd-ARMM

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Amid the heightened military offensive that has forced schools to open their doors to thousands of evacuees, disrupting school activities, the Department Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) said graduation rites will proceed in schools located in areas of conflict in Maguindanao.

Bai Taya Aplal, Director II of DepEd- ARMM said graduation rites for elementary and high school students in these areas of conflict will be held in safe locations to allow the graduates and their families to celebrate the momentous occasion amid the conflict.

“For these affected schools, our alternative is to cluster their graduation and conduct it in the nearby schools not affected by the armed conflict,” Aplal said.

Even schools currently being used as evacuation centers, according to Aplal will hold graduation rites even if it would require the construction of temporary platforms to hold the ceremony.

“We know that the presence of I(nternally) D(isplaced) P(ersons)s will affect the graduation rites thus we are recommending the construction of temporary structure for their ceremony,” Aplal added.

Classes in 63 elementary and secondary schools in Maguindanao were suspended due to the joint offensive launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police starting February 25 against elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) and their splinter group – Justice for Islamic Movement (JIM).

The offensive against lawless elements has affected 23,681 students and teachers.

About 24,714 families or 123,537 individuals have been displaced as of Monday.

The conflict has spread to 15 towns in the province, prompting the Maguindanao provincial government to declare a state of calamity.

Nine schools serving as evacuation centers are currently hosting thousands of displaced families.