Students’ Christmas vacation starts today

The Christmas break for students in public elementary and high schools will begin today, according to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Based on the school calendar released by the agency, Christmas vacation this year will be from Dec. 22 to Jan. 2.

Classes will resume on Jan. 3, Wednesday.

The schedule applies only to public schools since private educational institutions are given flexibility on their respective school calendars, provided that they comply with the necessary number of contact days between teachers and students.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones earlier reminded public schools nationwide to hold simple Christmas celebrations to avoid putting unnecessary burden on students and their families.

“Joy and happiness, celebrations, can be simple and yet meaningful,” she said. “The faculty must be reminded that we should not necessarily burden the families.”

Briones said there are existing guidelines that prohibit mandatory collection from students for the conduct of activities such as Christmas parties.

“Parent-teacher associations are not allowed to impose contributions. It has to be voluntary,” she said.

In addition to voluntary contributions, existing DepEd guidelines on Christmas celebrations provide that decorations should be simple, inexpensive and – if possible – produced by students and staffers.

“Gift-giving should be guided by the spirit of sharing and should not lead to extravagant spending,” read the order, which was issued by former secretary Jesli Lapus in 2009.

“Schools or offices which decide to forgo Christmas parties should consider donating the savings to relief assistance for families still reeling from the destruction caused by recent calamities and disruption of academic activities in schools and delivery of departmental services should be minimized,” it added.