DepED reminds schools to celebrate simple Christmas parties

The Department of Education (DepED) reminded schools to ensure that Christmas parties will be celebrated in a “simple yet meaningful” way.

 In DepED Order No. 52 series of 2022 signed by Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte dated Nov. 2, the department issued guidelines for the celebration of Christmas within the DepED. 

DepED encouraged to “strive for a genuine celebration of hope, unity, and service for others” every Christmas season.

With this, public schools as well as DepED Central and field offices were directed to ensure that celebrations related to Christmas should be “simple yet meaningful.”

This can be done by keeping in mind the “true spirit of the season” and the “austerity called for by the difficult economic times.”

DepED also urged all Christmas parties, themes, costumes, decorations, and exchange gifts remain voluntary.

“No learner or DepED personnel should be forced to contribute participate or use their money for the celebration,” it said.

The department added that “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 of a prepared gift.”

To help ensure that celebrations in schools and offices are “practicable,” DepEd said that “Christmas party themes should not result to expenses that will become a burden on parents, students and DepED personnel.”

DepED enjoined schools and offices to use or recycle old Christmas decorations. The purchase of new decor was also discouraged. Furthermore, DepED said that no learner or personnel should be “required to make decors specifically for a party.”