DepEd: Christmas Parties Should be Simple & Meaningful

DepEd Secretary Armin Luistro during the Mainstreaming GILAS (Gearing up Internet Literacy and Access for Students) held at the Grand Ballroom of Dusit Thani Hotel.

The Department of Education announces that Christmas vacation in public schools starts on December 21 and classes resume on January 3, 2012 to give students and teachers time to observe the holiday season.

Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that schools may hold their Christmas party on December 19 or 20 which is an annual tradition before the long holiday break. Luistro, however, cautioned the schools to refrain from holding a lavish and compulsory holiday celebration.

“I want to reiterate that Christmas parties should be simple and meaningful and if ever there is going to be any form of contribution, it should be voluntary,” Luistro advised.

The education chief said that teachers and school officials must see to it that the guidelines contained in DepEd Order 114, series of 2009 on the holding of simple Christmas celebrations are strictly observed.

Jesus Christ led a simple life so we can do no less,” added Luistro. He warned that school officials will be held liable if the department receives complaints and that they may be faced with administrative sanctions if proven guilty of insubordination.