Schools are taking their own measures against the pandemic (including passing all students and cutting the semester short), but it’s a sad and given factor that a lot of students will have to miss major hallmarks in their schooling. Case in point: The Department of Education (DepEd) has announced that there will be no graduation rites while the pandemic goes on.

“Alam natin na closed na ang classes, tapos na, pero walang graduation. I know disappointment ito para sa mga pamilya pero under present condition hindi natin ito pinahihintulutan,” DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones mentions during a segment on GMA’s “Unang Hirit.”

Still, don’t throw out that toga just yet. While stepping on an actual stage isn’t happening any time soon, expect it to become a reality when things calm down. “This is not the first time na pinopostpone. Hindi naman kinakansela, pinopostpone lang.”

While the enhanced community quarantine is mainly focused on Luzon, Briones said that LGUs in Visayas and Mindanao have also imposed schemes like this, as some areas have declared their own lockdowns as well. The secretary also assured that students will get their certificates and records, but there will be precautionary measures in place.

As for when schools officially begin next school year, this has yet to be set in stone. The department is currently holding surveys if they should move the opening to July or August. If they do, then it may have to become a permanent move.

With postponements and the iffy nature of online classes, we can say this: Students are one sector getting the brunt of society pausing.

Art by Aira Ydette