Several municipalities have banned expensive gifts to teachers at the end of the school year. Teachers in Enköping and Gothenburg criticize the decisions as detached from reality.
Västerås has become the latest municipality to ban money-valued gifts to teachers. The reason is that gifts may be perceived as bribes, especially in connection with grading. Teacher Julia Tillenius in Enköping is critical. 'We have certification and are professionals in our job. It is not a box of chocolates that can influence that', she says. She believes the focus should instead be on declining school results. Teacher Linda Johansson in Gothenburg also calls the debate provocative when schools face major challenges.
