No Mother’s Day gifts made here

Teachers at one school decide pupils will not make presents in class to protect children 'in difficult family situations'

THE MOTHERS of pupils at a school in Haute-Savoie will not receive gifts made in class by their children this year.

Teachers at the school in Allinges, which caters for children from kindergarten age, decided that making gifts for Mother’s Day could reopen painful wounds for children whose parents have split up, or who have lost one parent, reports Le Parisien.

They have also decided not to make gifts for Father’s Day in June.

In a letter sent to parents, the school the decision was made “to avoid awkward situations for many students”.

The letter went on: “We will leave it up to the families” to celebrate Mother’s Day “if they wish”.

The school said that 15 of the 17 teachers supported the decision.

But the decision has divided parents. One told Le Parisien: “This decision is stupid. Seeing a child deliver a Mother’s Day gift made at school is wonderful.”

Others were more supportive: “Children who have no dad or mum suffer enough. Making a gift would remind them of their cruel situation.”

The school said that 15 of its 17 teachers supported the decision.

Photo: James Harrington