Parents Wonder Whether to Send Gifts Ahead of Teachers' Day
Kindergarten Teachers Subject to Kim Young-ran Act, Daycare Teachers Not Covered
Even with 'No Gifts' Notice... Some Send Snacks Fearing Exclusion
[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] Parent A, who sends their child to a private daycare center, was debating whether to send gifts to teachers on Teachers' Day and checked the daycare center's mobile app notices. Since there was no notice stating 'gifts are not accepted,' they asked acquaintances and most responded, "It's better to give gifts even if you get them back, rather than being the only one who doesn't."
Parent B, in their 40s, was troubled after receiving a proposal in a group chat from other parents at the same daycare center to pool money and send a gift. Despite a notice posted by the daycare center to abolish the culture of sending gifts, all parents except B expressed agreement.
As Teachers' Day approaches, parents of infants and toddlers are struggling with whether they should send gifts. Considering the Improper Solicitation and Graft Act (the Anti-Graft Law), it is appropriate not to send gifts, but they worry about being the only parent who seems unaware.
On online communities such as mom cafes, posts asking whether it is acceptable to give gifts to daycare or kindergarten teachers from April and what kind of gifts to send are flooding in. Daycare teachers, whether public or private, are not subject to the Anti-Graft Law. However, daycare center directors are subject to the law as they are public officials performing government-funded duties.
Generally, daycare centers set their own standards before Teachers' Day and often announce that 'gifts are not accepted.' Since these notices are often formalities, a 'silent competition' occurs among parents, who worry their child might be left out. One parent said, "Last year, everyone except me sent gifts, which was very embarrassing." Some send refreshments that are less burdensome for the recipients or exchange gifts in advance, avoiding Teachers' Day itself.
Unlike daycare centers, kindergartens are subject to the Anti-Graft Law just like schools. This is because teachers are included in the definition of 'public officials' under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Higher Education Act, and Early Childhood Education Act. School corporations governed by the Kindergarten Act, Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and Private School Act are also subject to the law. Since there is no recognized job-related connection between graduates and teachers, sanctions do not apply after the academic schedule ends.
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