Xmas gift for teacher

[mumsy]

Just wondering how many of you will be getting an Xmas gift for your kids teacher, and if so, how much will you spend on it.

My LO isn't even in kindy yet, but I accompany him to a school playgroup 3 times a week and I always have a good chat with his teacher so I feel I should get something.

 

[capital]

This is our first year of preschool. I was thinking that I might get a gift cert to a store that sells teacher materials, but there is one teacher and 2 "helpers", and I want to get them all the same thing. I don't think I will spend a lot.

 

[carang]

get them a cert for a bookshop....
as an avid reader, and a teacher, i know i'd LOVE to receive that!

 

[rani]

Last year most of the kids in my son's class gave chocolate or candles. At the end of the year, a few of us gave jewellery.

 

[kinghk]

I wonder if giving gifts and teachers accepting gifts would treat as bribery??? better check the ICAC website

 

[carang]

oh, come on.....i hope you're not serious!

we're not talking thousands of $, we're talking a $50 gift cert or a box of chocolates, for goodness sake!

 

[kinghk]

We have to think it this way. As a recieving end, will the small gifts affect their judgement in returning a favour to you??? Or cause any embarassment. It's their job.
I think offering them some refreshments or giving a card are enough.
Anti corruption here in HK is very strict.
My hubby's colleague was caught receiving lucky money, tooth paste, tooth brush and cotton buds. He lost his retirement and was put in jail.....

 

[barbwong_130]

I had my first child at Queen Mary Hospital. My husband was overjoyed (as I imagine most first time fathers are) and he brought some cakes to the ward for the nurses. They were not accepted because accepting cakes from a new father is considered bribery in Hong Kong.

When I had my third child in England my older children (with my mother?s help) made home made cookies for the nurses. These were accepted with no problems.

 

[Sara]

We have to think it this way. As a recieving end, will the small gifts affect their judgement in returning a favour to you???

None of the children in my son's class are from HK, and every single parent wanted to give the 2 teachers something. To avoid any comparisons, we put the money together and bought them gift certificates. Then the gifts are from all of us, and there shall not be any pressure in 'returning a favor' to any kid/parent in particular.

That said, I myself would be happier with a $50 gift certificate than a $50 elaborate Thank-you/Christmas card. You know how much a nice card can really cost here. By the way, we hand-made the cards for the teacher.

 

[mumsy]

I've had a brief look at the ICAC and Eduation Bureau website, and it seems that it is up to the School Management Committee to formulate their own policies, bearing in mind the bribery ordinance.

There is however a 'sample code of conduct' on the Education Bureau website which states:

Accepting Advantages

5. Permission is given for staff to accept, but not solicit, the following advantages: -

(a) gifts from pupils or parents, provided that the value of the gift does not exceed ($100);

(b) gifts from pupils or parents at graduation ceremonies provided that the aggregate value of the gifts does not exceed ($500) on each occasion;

(c) gifts from parents, colleagues, pupils or former pupils of the School on the occasion of retirement or resignation provided that the value of the gift from any one person does not exceed ($1,000).

[Note: Figures in brackets are considered realistic and recommended by the Education Bureau for adoption by schools.]