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Teaching Materials on Corruption Prevention in Everyday Life

Is it Necessary to Offer Gifts on Festive Occasions to Show Respect to Teachers?

Synopsis

Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Mrs CHEUNG offers a box of mooncakes to Mr. CHOW, a teacher of her son, to thank him for his efforts to help her son Siu Wai improve in his learning. Mr. CHOW politely declines her gift and explains the school regulations to her.

Question 1

Can Mrs CHEUNG offer mooncakes to Mr. CHOW in the Mid-Autumn Festival to express her appreciation?

A No, teachers, being employees of the school, have to seek approval from the school before accepting any gifts from parents while parents should understand the school regulations before sending the gifts.
Correct
B Yes, mooncakes are not something of high value, which are just meant to be a token of thanks. Therefore, teachers can accept these gifts as they like, and parents are free to present them to teachers as gifts.
Incorrect
Tips from iSir

Even if Mrs CHEUNG offers the gift as a token of appreciation without any intention of asking for favourable treatment for her child, she should still familiarise herself with the school regulations on staff's acceptance of advantage to see whether teachers are allowed to accept gifts from parents.

Question 2

Is it a bribery offence to offer mooncakes in Mid-autumn Festival as a customary practice?

A Yes, mooncakes are regarded as an advantage though they are not of high value. If Mrs CHEUNG offers the mooncakes to the teacher for his favourable treatment to her child, she may contravene the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance.
Correct
B No, it is not a problem for offering mooncakes in Mid-Autumn Festival as a customary practice.
Incorrect
Tips from iSir

According to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, it is a bribery offence for Mrs CHEUNG to offer an advantage (the mooncakes) to an agent of the school (the teacher) as a reward for getting favourable treatment for her son in school.

Question 3

What can Mrs CHEUNG do if she wishes to express her appreciation or gratitude to the teaching staff of the school?

A Saying "thank you" or writing a "letter of appreciation" to the teaching staff to express her gratitude.
Correct
B Giving the gifts secretly so that no one else knows it.
Incorrect
Tips from iSir

According to the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance, it is an offence to offer an advantage to an agent (the teacher) as an inducement to or reward for the teacher to exercise his authority in return. If the teacher, without the approval of the principal (the School Management Committee), accepts the advantage in relation to the school's business, he will also commit an offence. To express one's gratitude to the teaching staff, saying 'thank you' or writing a 'letter of appreciation' is enough.

Gifts are not required for showing respect to teachers
All parents have great concern about their children's learning and hope that teachers will care about their children. However, if they offer gifts to teachers in the hope that their children will receive favourable treatment in school, they will commit a bribery offence. Even though parents wish to express their appreciation to teachers, they have to find out in the first place whether the school allows their staff to accept gifts from parents. Moreover, it will have a negative impact on schools, parents and students if offering gifts to teachers becomes a common practice.

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