MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Education on Friday reminded public schools across the country to prepare simple graduation rites this month.

This is in accordance to DepEd's memo that "graduation rites should not be exercised in splurging and display of pomp and pageantry but should be spartan affairs which exhort civic duties, sense of community, and personal responsibilities and should be memorable, exciting and animated without baggage of extra cost and excessive spending."

The DepEd reminded schools about the "no extravagant special attire or extraordinary venue" guideline.

In Commonwealth Elementary School, the graduation rites will be held in the school gym even if some students wanted to hold it in a bigger venue like the UP theater.

Principal Rodolfo Modeno said they will just divide the 1,206 graduating students into 2 batches, one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.

Despite the DepEd's guideline to use a simple attire, many of the students want to wear a toga. The school said this is voluntary. A toga can be rented for 60 pesos.

"Basta ang mahalaga may toga, may ribbon, kung ano po yung true meaning ng pagtatapos na matatanggap naming mga estudyante," said Camille de Pedro president, senior's assembly of Batasan Hills Highschool.

The 2,700 graduating students of Batasan Hills High School will also have their graduation in the school gym, and they will be divided into morning and afternoon batches.

The school's Assistant Principal Cerilo Castillo said since collection of graduation fees are not allowed, they relied on donations from parents.

Meanwhile, some students of Roxas Elementary School said they will no longer buy new shoes or uniforms and will make do with what they have.

"Ang graduation ay para sa edukasyon na nakamit nyo po, hindi yung magiging itsura mo pagdating ng graduation," said grade 6 student Jasmine Seva.