Władysław Tomaszewski has been the principal of the Primary School in Nowogrodziec since 1999. During the September teachers’ meeting, he reminded the teachers that they should not accept gifts from students, not even flowers. “The right attitude should be shaped from the very beginning: we do not arrange one thing in exchange for another,” explains the school principal. “A student is not obliged to give even the smallest trinkets,” he adds.
The ban on accepting gifts is not officially in force. However, as Tomaszewski himself stresses, it is his duty to ensure that situations of this kind occur as rarely as possible. Wealthy parents can afford expensive presents. Poor parents cannot always do so. “This causes discomfort for the child, and even fear of going to school,” the principal points out.
According to Władysław Tomaszewski, teachers should not accept gifts from students because they can be rewarded for their work in various ways (including awards from school principals, local government officials and education superintendents). “In this way, teachers are recognized for their achievements,” Tomaszewski says. “That is why we are trying to eliminate the practice of giving gifts on our school premises,” he adds.
(information ii)