A Darwin school has ended the age-old tradition of spreading Christmas cheer by handing out candy canes in class, banning the distribution of festive sweets in the playground.
The Northern Territory Education Department denies intent to crush the Christmas spirit, saying the ban complies with the school’s policy of not sharing food to promote healthy eating and prevent allergies.
“We have had some children bring candy canes to school to share with others,” the school’s latest newsletter read.
“We do not allow sharing of food and we don’t want sweets or other food being brought in to the school for sharing or as Christmas gifts.”
The move has outraged parents, with one dad arguing “This is madness — we should be encouraging our kids to share,” reported The Daily Telegraph.
It’s not the first time candy canes have been a source of controversy for the education system.
The hook-shaped, red and white striped yuletide sweets have been banned from some US schools for reasons ranging from schoolyard safety to religious propaganda.
A fierce legal battle known as the “candy cane” case was recently brought before the US Supreme Court following a Texas school’s policy that allegedly deprived students of their freedom of religious expression.
The Christian Post reports legal issues began in 2003 when school officials from Thomas Elementary School stopped a student from distributing candy canes that had religious messages attached to them.
Students were also banned from writing “Merry Christmas” on cards they made in class to be sent to soldiers serving abroad.
In a Virginia high school in 2010, the seasonal sugary sticks were banned from distribution, though not for religious or anti-sharing purposes — the school saw them as potential weapons as they could be sharpened and used to stab people.
Which begs the question — what of pencils?
Back home, Australian schools are being criticised for being too conservative and not letting kids just be kids.
The candy cane ban is the latest in a series of moves by individual schools dotted around the country disallowing children from hugging, doing handstands, high-fives, cartwheels, making best friends and using lip balm at school.
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