NO extravagant graduations or proms.

This long standing policy for the city-run public schools in Manila was reiterated yesterday by Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim yesterday, as he directed city schools superintendent Dr. Ponciano Menguito to ensure that no collections will be made from students in connection with slated graduation ceremonies and high school or college proms.

In the same breadth, Lim also told Menguito to remind school authorities of his standing policy to keep such occasions austere and to do away with any form of extravagance.

According to the mayor, the occasions are better held within the school premises and students may wear their uniforms.

This way, Lim explained, parents no longer have to worry about extra expenses which may be entailed by holding the occasion in another venue or requiring certain attires for the students.

“Kaya nga binabalikat ng pamahalaang-lungsod ang lahat ng kailangan sa mga paaralang ito ay upang huwag magastusan ang mga magulang, tapos pagagastusin natin sila nang para lamang sa ilang oras na okasyon,” the mayor stressed.

Lim said  the policy stays even if some of the parents insist otherwise, as he pointed out that the public schools in Manila are there to provide free education for those coming from poor families.

“Eh kung ganyan na meron pala silang panggastos sa mga mamahaling damit at graduation, dapat ilipat na lang nila sa pribadong paaralan ang kanilang anak para mabigyan naman ng pagkakataon ’yung iba na tunay na walang panggastos,” the mayor said.

Besides, he noted, parents who do not have money to shell out and their children will only be ostracized and frowned upon by those who will insist on a pompous ceremony.

According to Lim, keeping the activities austere will not in any way diminish the meaning of the occasion.

The city government runs a total of 103 public elementary and high schools where children of school age and coming from poor families are offered free education.

Apart from the ‘zero tuition’ policy, the mayor has standing orders not to collect anything from the students.

He said the policy should be strictly followed, especially since the Department of Education itself has also ordered it.