PALO, Leyte — The Department of Education’s (DepEd) regional office here has reminded school officials to refrain from lavish Christmas parties, taking into consideration the economic difficulties some families have experienced in the past years.
DepEd-Eastern Visayas Regional Director Ramir Uytico discouraged teachers from asking contributions from parents to finance Christmas parties and other holiday activities.
“Let us emphasize the essence of Christmas that this celebration is for children, but side by side with the reality that we are in the midst of crisis,” Uytico told reporters on Tuesday.
Uytico urged education officials to review Department Order 114 issued on Nov. 20, 2009, mandating the school administrators to hold simple but meaningful celebrations, “keeping in mind the true spirit of the season and the austerity called for by the difficult economic times”.
The directive also provided guidelines for school-based Christmas celebrations.
This includes strictly voluntary contributions for celebrations in schools or offices, whether in cash or in kind; simple and inexpensive decorations; gift-giving guided by the spirit of sharing without leading to extravagant spending; and minimizing the disruption of academic activities.
“If parents decide to collect contributions for the party, teachers should not handle the money to avoid misinterpretations,” he added.
Uytico said DepEd field offices have complaint desks if parents feel that principals and teachers are not following orders related to school-based Christmas celebrations. (PNA)
