Can't teachers celebrate the New Year together?

Question

We wanted to celebrate the New Year holiday at our own expense. But there was an order from above not to celebrate the holiday in a corporate way.

It happens almost every year. Even if we celebrate, we do it secretly, as if we are committing a crime. How true is it that when most state organizations organize large holidays at the expense of the budget, we are not allowed to organize them ourselves, just as teachers do not have holidays?

Reply

There are no restrictions on teachers to organize New Year's celebrations as corporate holidays and events.

Educational workers have the right to participate in any corporate holidays and events on weekends or in their free time.

That is, educators are free citizens. Restriction and control of their activities outside of working hours is completely contrary to the law.

In addition, according to Article 201 of the Labor Code, daily rest, other days off (weekly uninterrupted rest) and non-working holidays are considered rest time.

Rest time is the time that the employee is free from performing labor duties and can use it at his discretion. That is, employees spend their leisure time as they want.

Therefore, teachers can organize New Year celebrations as corporate holidays and events at their discretion.

Only such events cannot be held on the school grounds

Because, according to the "Improved model rules of etiquette of a general secondary educational institution," approved by the order of the Minister of Preschool and School Education No. 282 dated August 31, 2023, it is forbidden to hold festive events that are not related to students on the territory and in the building of the school.

It is also prohibited to consume alcoholic beverages and tobacco products on the territory and in the building of the educational institution.