Teachers’ cyber details should be confidential (From Echo)

Teachers’ cyber details should be confidential

12:00pm Monday 8th March 2010 in

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In November 2009, when the Tories first said they would encourage teachers to set up schools, shadow schools secretary, Michael Gove cited the Knowledge is Power Programme as an example they should follow. It involves teachers visiting students and parents in their homes and being available at the end of a mobile phone 24/7.

It was reported (Mar 3) that a YouGov study commissioned by Tesco found “nearly a quarter of Southend parents would like to be able to text their child’s teacher over social media networks such as Facebook”.

I wonder why Tesco would commission such research. Is it trying to be the provider of mobile phones or internet access for teachers, parents and students to communicate with each other?

YouGov surveys are completed online and the participants are paid for their answers. The participants are already using the internet. Does it mean they are biased towards the idea of using the internet to contact teachers via networking sites? What is wrong with school e-mail systems?

The Echo has published results of yet another survey with nothing more to say on the matter. As a teacher I have always been trained in safeguards for students and staff. These involve minimising the potential for inappropriate communication or conduct.

We teach children how to protect themselves from cyber bullying. Why even consider the idea of teachers, parents and students contacting each other outside school using social networking sites or mobiles?

Teachers are professionals.

We provide education and pastoral care. The pastoral care role may, in extreme circumstances, mean contact outside the usual school setting. It should not, however, involve teachers sharing their personal mobile number or networking details with students and parents as part of their job.

Jennifer Beck
Brightwell Avenue
Westcliff