BE MODEST. Department of Education-Central Visayas Regional Director Salustiano Jimenez. On Friday (May 31, 2024), he advised parents against publicly giving their children extravagant gifts during graduation rites as this could emotionally affect others who could not afford to give expensive gifts. (PNA file photo)
CEBU CITY – Parents should make the graduation rites of their children memorable and avoid disturbing acts during the ceremony, the regional director of education said here on Friday.
Salustiano Jimenez, regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Central Visayas, made the comment after photographs of new graduates wearing garlands of peso bills went viral on social media.
He clarified that there is nothing wrong in expressing “congratulations” in whatever way to the graduates or awardees and gifting them with flowers, cash, or food.
“Though we are not saying totally no, but, we parents or guardians should think if it is necessary to do this for the kids. (And see to it that it will not affect the whole community),” Jimenez said in Cebuano.
He said that parents have the right to give their children garlands of money. However, he asked: “Can it be bad for our mental health? Is it because others will be seen with a garland, while others do not have it?"
Jimenez said giving the traditional garland of flowers still makes graduation a momentous occasion. (PNA)
