DSHE forms committee to monitor teachers' social media activity

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has formed a committee to monitor social media posts, comments and other content published by teachers and employees under its jurisdiction.

The move was announced in a letter issued by DSHE on August 17, citing the government's guidelines and code of conduct governing social media use by public officials and employees.

According to the letter, the newly formed Social Media Monitoring Committee will oversee whether members of the education community under DSHE are complying with the government's social media guidelines, including the revised Guidelines on the Use of Social Media in Government Institutions, 2019.

The committee has been instructed to take note of content that is allegedly contrary to government guidelines or considered objectionable, misleading, false or negative. Any post, comment, photograph, video or other content that could undermine official discipline or the institution's image is to be reported to the committee.

Officials concerned have also been instructed to preserve relevant evidence when reporting such content and send it to the committee's convener by email on a priority basis.

Reports must include the individual's name, designation and workplace, as well as the social media platform where the content appeared and the link to the relevant account or profile. The date and time of publication, along with screenshots or other supporting evidence, must also be provided.

DSHE said the initiative is aimed at ensuring compliance with government directives on social media use. Information received by the monitoring committee will be reviewed and may form the basis for necessary action.