ILOILO City – School Christmas parties must be conducted simply yet meaningfully, without financial burden on students or their families, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).
Regional Memorandum No. 893 issued by DepEd-6 director Ramir B. Uytico on Nov. 21 prohibits the solicitation of funds or gifts for school holiday festivities.
“We strongly uphold the no collection policy,” said Hernani Escullar Jr., information officer of DepEd-6, in an interview with Panay News.
He, however, clarified that the policy does not restrict voluntary sharing by parents or students who can afford it.
Importantly, Escullar clarified that students unable to contribute should not be excluded from participating in these celebrations.
Schools are encouraged to recycle old Christmas decorations, minimizing expenses for parents and students.
“Recycling materials like paper or used items can help avoid additional spending on Christmas decorations,” said Escullar.
The DepEd-6 spokesperson further reminded the schools that Christmas parties should be held inside the school premises and not in resorts, hotels or other establishments to ensure the safety of learners.
The last day of classes before the Christmas break is on Dec. 15. Classes in will resume on Jan. 3, 2024.
Under Uytico’s memorandum, he also emphasizes the following guidelines in the celebration of the yuletide season in simple, safe and meaningful ways in all schools across the region:
For Pre-event Activities and Preparations
The Schools Division Offices (SDOs) are enjoined to conduct a forum with school heads to discuss the following:
* No collection policy must be emphasized;
* DepEd personnel are not allowed to solicit, whether in cash or in kind, for Christmas parties and holiday celebrations;
* Venue of the activity must be within the school premises;
* Christmas parties, themes, costumes, decorations, and gifts are strictly voluntary;
* Recycling of old Christmas decor is encouraged;
* The date of the activity must adhere to DepEd No. 022, Series of 2023 (starts at Dec. 18 onwards);
* The time of the activity must not go beyond 4 p.m. and shall not extend at another venue, date, or time;
* Food preparation must be handled properly;
* Learners must secure parents’ consent;
For Event Day Guidelines
* The event must be facilitated by the class adviser or a teacher
* Only stakeholders are allowed within the school premises
* Participants must adhere to the latest Department of Health (DOH) and local government units (LGUs) protocol
* Stringent rules against unauthorized persons must be imposed to avoid bringing in of alcoholic drinks and others
For Post Event Activities
* All learners must be out of the school premises after the activity
* Leftovers must properly be disposed of
* The venue of the activity must be cleaned, arranged, and sanitized
* Electrical connections, wall outlets, electric fans and the like must be de-energized.
The SDOs may include other guidelines/provisions/precautionary measures which are not contradictory to this memorandum.
School officials are also requested to seek assistance from local law enforcement entities to ensure peace and order during the activity.
Escullar explained that during Christmas parties, there are learners who go out of the school premises and cross the street. Thus, the school is advised to coordinate with barangay officials and tanods to avoid any untoward incident.
Meanwhile, the DepEd Central Office has a standing DepEd Order No. 052, or An order providing for the guidelines in the celebration of Christmas within the DepEd.
“To this end, the whole DepEd community is urged to strive for a genuine celebration of hope, unity, and service for others every Christmas season. Celebrations in public schools and DepEd central and field offices should be simple yet meaningful, keeping in mind the true spirit of the season and the austerity called for by the difficult economic times,” read part of the order signed by Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte-Carpio.
The following guidelines should be observed:
* All Christmas parties, themes, costumes, decoration, and exchange gifts are voluntary. No learner or DepEd personnel should be forced to contribute, participate, or use their money for the celebration
* No learner shall be excluded from joining the Christmas celebration by reason of their failure to give the voluntary contribution or absence of a prepared gift.
* Celebrations in schools and in DepEd offices, as far as practicable, should be simple yet meaningful. Christmas party themes should not result to expenses that will become a burden on parents, students, and DepEd personnel.
* Contributions for celebrations in schools or offices, whether in cash or in kind, should be strictly voluntary.
* Old Christmas decors should be recycled; purchase of new decors is not encouraged. No learner or DepEd personnel will be required to make decors specifically for a party.
* Christmas parties in schools may be organized within class hours so long as it does not interfere with the schedule lesson plans intended to be taught to the students.
* The conduct of Christmas get-togethers and other similar year-end activities should not compromise the provision of departmental services.
* Gift-giving should be guided by the spirit of sharing and should not lead to extravagant spending.
* DepEd personnel should be reminded that solicitations, whether in cash or in kind, are not allowed for Christmas parties or holiday celebrations.
* Private schools, community learning centers, as well as state/local universities and colleges (SUCs/LUCs) may choose to adopt the provisions of this DepEd order as basis in the conduct of their own Christmas parties or celebrations./PN
