Is it right to punish a teacher who didn't decorate the classroom for the New Year?

Question

Are teachers responsible for not decorating classrooms for the New Year? Does the director or the administration have the right to take any action?

Response

Usually, in order to organize interesting New Year's events in educational institutions, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education annually issues recommendations and instructions on organizing the territory, buildings, and classrooms of educational organizations, decorating the natural Christmas tree in the courtyard of educational organizations (if any) with various decorations made by the hands of students and pupils.

Recommendations are also given on decorating the foyer, assembly halls, or sports halls of educational organizations with various decorations made by the hands of students and pupils, organizing festive events on the territory of educational organizations in an interesting way, and festively decorating the territory of the educational institution.

At the same time, it is strictly prohibited to organize illegal fundraising by students and teaching staff under the pretext of celebrating the New Year holiday, to hold the New Year holiday in restaurants, cafes, and other public catering establishments, as well as to present various gifts to the management of educational organizations and teaching staff by students and their parents in connection with the holiday.

However, these instructions issued by the ministry are advisory in nature and do not impose any obligations on the teaching staff of educational organizations.

Also, the instruction of class teachers, approved by Order No. 190 of the Ministry of Preschool and School Education dated June 27, 2023, does not impose an obligation on them to decorate classrooms.

Therefore, no penalties will be applied to class teachers who do not decorate classrooms for the New Year.