The teacher accepting a small gift from elementary school students

The questioner:
He says: Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. We teach young children in the elementary school stage, and it happens that a small student offers us something trivial for the teacher, such as candy or any simple item. Is it permissible for us to accept it from him?

The Shaykh:
No, do not take anything from the student, even if it is candy, a pen, or a piece of paper. Do not take anything from the student, because this is considered a bribe and opens the door to accusations from people. They will say, "I gave him this," and it will be said among people that he gave you this and that. So do not open a door of evil for yourself. Yes.

The questioner:
And if these students are in the first three grades, and they have no exams and no grades, is that a justification for accepting it?

The Shaykh:
No. Accepting it is not justified. Because you judge them as passing or failing, or as having good reading or weak reading. You must have a judgment about them. Even if there are no exams, you will be asked about them regarding the quality of their reading, whether it is good or weak. So do not take anything. Unless you have no other income and you want to take a reward to devote yourself to them, then there is no harm in that. This is in the position of a salary that suffices you to devote yourself to them. Yes.