Latvian ombudsman says the mandatory donation collection in schools is unacceptable. The same applies to parents’ voluntary initiatives to collect donations for gifts to teachers, as noted by the Ombudsman’s Office.
Previously it was reported that the ombudsman received signals about additional costs of this kind, which mostly consist of the requirement for parents to purchase various teaching utensils and materials for their children.
The ombudsman has received more than 1 100 such complaints.
The ombudsman explains that often schools allow practices of rewarding teachers personally.
Often this practice takes the shape of an unwritten tradition, such as giving teachers gifts after graduation, giving various gifts and material values donated by parents.
The ombudsman concluded that this tradition is kept and cultivated by parents, especially those who are active the most in parent committees, councils and meetings.
Often suggestions for gifts are brought up by the teacher in charge of classes, suggesting to reward certain teachers.
The ombudsman stresses that this tradition is rooted in not only parent’s want to cheer up, show respect or express gratitude to teachers that do so much for their children, but also the goal to “buy” teachers’ good will, especially in regards to children whose parents are giving them gifts.
And not all parents have the money to afford regular gifts.
However, fearing that their objection could hurt their children, they often avoid refusing other parents’ initiative on giving gifts to teachers.
The ombudsman says this situation is unacceptable.
All this creates a situation when children are treated unfairly and situations when teachers’ good will can be bought.
The ombudsman reminds – primary and secondary education in Latvia is free. He invites parents to break away from this unhealthy tradition.
“People should discuss this problem among themselves without fear of disagreeing with others.
The tradition of giving gifts to teachers only pushes people to fear making objections and acting differently,” the statement from the ombudsman mentions.
The ombudsman believes if parents want to express their gratitude and make a specific teacher happy, it can be done with words of gratitude, flowers or some symbolic and creative gift.
This is why the ombudsman suggests parents reduce unnecessary expenses, learn and teach their children ways to express gratitude using other means.
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