Teachers investigated for posting pupils’ work on social media

MBABANE – A trend of purported public humiliation for pupils might have negative consequences for some teachers.

Some educators have come under scrutiny following circulating content of pupils’ mid-year assessments. As a way of amusing their counterparts or social media followers, the assessments were posted through social media platforms, with some of the content being mocked due to the answers included in the assessments.

When engaged on this matter, Ministry of Education and Training Principal Secretary (PS) Nanikie Mnisi condemned the actions of the teachers and stated that investigations would be instituted. “It is irresponsible behaviour and a violation of pupils’ privacy because you cannot publish the work of another without prior authorisation. That’s why pupils’ results are no longer publicised,” stated the PS. Meanwhile, the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) also issued a warning to the teachers who are implicated. The source of some of the circulating assessments remains unknown, as the practitioners who initially uploaded the work have not been revealed. Cautioning its members, SNAT condemned the behaviour of the teachers, making an analogy of the implications if a healthcare worker were to post patients’ files and information on social media.  “The Council of Educators Act has now been promulgated into law. It is now an Act of Parliament. The council will put in place a Code of Professional Ethics for registered (Licensed) Educators. A humble request: Asikuyekeleni loku (let’s stop this) as educators for the sake of what is referred to as professional decorum and etiquette,” stated the SNAT.

Full details in today’s paper.