Kobe City: Handling of Graduation and Completion Ceremonies for Kobe Municipal Schools in 2022

Press Release (February 14, 2023)
School Education Division, School Education Department, Board of Education
Based on the notice from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, “Basic Policy on the Handling of Masks at Graduation Ceremonies” (No. 2153, dated February 10, 2023), Kobe Municipal Schools will handle graduation and completion ceremonies for the 2022 school year as follows. In accordance with the “Kobe Municipal Schools’ Policy on Graduation and Completion Ceremonies” (No. 2153, dated February 10, 2023), we hereby inform you that the graduation and completion ceremonies for the 2022 school year will be handled as follows
We will handle graduation ceremonies in consideration of the fact that they are important events that mark milestones in the school life of students, etc., and will give due consideration to the will and judgment of the students, etc.

1. Students (graduates and current students)

Masks will be removed throughout the ceremony, including entrance and exit, ceremonial and congratulatory speeches, presentation of diplomas, and farewell and reply speeches. Students who will deliver the farewell address and reply speeches may also remove their masks.

When singing the national anthem, school anthem, or other anthems, or when multiple students call out to each other, they should wear masks or take other measures to prevent infectious diseases.

While some students may wish to wear masks for various reasons, others may not be able to wear masks. Therefore, we will respect the students’ independent choice and ensure that teachers and staff do not force students to wear or remove masks.

For kindergarten students, we will not uniformly require them to wear masks, including in situations such as singing, and will basically require them to remove their masks.

2. Parents, Guests, etc.

Parents, guests, etc. will be asked to wear masks.

Teachers and staff

Masks will be removed throughout the ceremony.

During the reception and induction, we will be flexible and wear masks, taking into consideration the continuous vocalization and the concerns of parents and guardians about infection.