Real-life MMD: Should I pay fixed contribution for teacher's gift?

Katedee28

Can't help but wonder if this is a genuine dilema. There aren't many teachers I know that would have the cheek! (My hubby is a maths teacher). Unless this is some wealthy private school?

jibbyboo

That is outrageous!

I would get my child to take in a card in the shape of a JL voucher envelope and have them draw a picture or some such item.

How dare a teacher ask for John Lewis vouchers, I think that's almost worse than the head's expectation that you should pay £25!

jibbyboo

sgt1439hux wrote: »

I was always taught that if you don't ask you don't get.

Sure, so perhaps an end of year letter stating that teachers are able to accept gifts could be provided. But certainly not a 'direction'. And this would be acceptable to say, because in certain establishments staff aren't allowed to accept gifts/ gratuities.

moochershopper

yz324 wrote: »

Personally, I think teachers is one of the most underpaid profession in this country. I believe (maybe incorrectly), for many people on this forum, including myself, I think 25 quid once a year is affordable since you are not paying a penny for your child' education education, but the point here is that any sort of gifts should be voluntary.

I had previously given generous personal gifts to teachers my school. (For a kid in a comprehensive, anyway), but there are teachers in my school I wouldn't give 25p to for their service.

I actually hope you go the press about this. I just think this is ridiculous.

I think you will find that every taxpayer in this country pays for childrens education !!

moochershopper

Why should teachers get a present ? They get paid to do a job, just as I do and I don't get, or expect to get anything for it, apart from my salary. What makes them more special than the doctor that saves a life or the fireman or policeman ? The heads of all schools should stop this practice immediately, and I am sure that many parents would be extremely grateful, as who wants to be the first parent to say no and all the embarrassment that would cause them or their child. A simple thank you should suffice for any teacher.

bestyman

<<<<< Checks date to make sure its not 1st April.


And next weeks MMD is my friend is opening a bar in Thailand and wants my wife to work there for 50 pence an hour........

cazpost

I can't believe any school actually requests that parents give teachers a gift,let alone that they specify an amount!
I can honestly say I never gave a teacher a gift,although I do remember giving homemade Christmas cards.
One of my friends works as a Teaching Assisstant at a Primary School. She told me that some of the parents do go over the top,buying presents for every member of staff,even those who don't have anything to do with their child.Some parents just get a small gift for the class teacher and TA,but the best gifts are the ones where the child has made or chosen the gift,as it actually has some meaning.
Apparently a lot of the gifts do reappear at the summer fund raising fete in the Tombola or Bring and Buy !

pollypenny

Let's make this clear, most teachers do not expect presents!

Many of us have said that in this thread, as well as on many other threads.

The dilemma is implausible, especially in the holidays. Private schools usually finish even earlier than state schools , so it's not likely to be one of them.

As for presents to nurses, patients often buy a tin of biscuits or sweets for the ward as a token of thanks. I know I certainly did.

JCC4

I am really shocked by the school and teacher's expectancies here. I haven't read all the replies as there are so many but I know, as a parent, governor and PTA member, that the schools I have been involved in would never expect this. Many parents are on benefits and struggle to pull together enough money for school trips without entertaining the idea of £25 for a gift. With or without benefits it can be really tight and that's assuming that the parent(s) only have one child in the school. The thought of parents having to multiply this for each child is inconceivable. For the end of this year, my daughter gave the teacher a card and made some crispy cakes for the teacher, TA's and classmates. I can't think that any parent or anyone from the school would see £25 (or £50 or £75 etc per family) as reasonable.

redglass_2

I was a teacher until a couple of years ago. When I left after 25 years of teaching at that establishment, anything I received as a farewell gift was voluntary and from colleagues. Nobody would have dreamed of roping in kids or parents in this way, even for someone's final farewell, and I would have squirmed with embarrassment had it been suggested.

I see lots of angry posts here fuming about 'teachers being paid a wage' but believe me, every teacher I've ever known would have been gobsmacked by this. We don't inflict levies on kids to line our own pockets. I find myself wondering if it's a real-life dilemma or a made up one. If it's real, the headmaster or headmistress needs a good talking to. 0 out of 10 and see me after class.