Teachers banned from Twitter after 'principal constantly criticises students'

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Teachers banned from Twitter after 'principal constantly criticises
students'
An education authority has banned teachers from using social
networking sites after a principal teacher was caught "constantly"
using Twitter to grumble about pupils, colleagues, and parents.

By Auslan Cramb, Scottish Correspondent
Last Updated: 10:27PM BST 21 May 2009

Argyll and Bute council introduced the ban after the female secondary
school teacher was found to have been using Twitter around 20 times a
day.

It is alleged the woman, who has not been named and is now facing
disciplinary action, has been putting sensitive information into the
public domain.


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She criticises the head teacher and the management of the school in
more than one entry.

While sitting next to an excluded pupil she wrotes: "Have S5 pupil for
company excluded from afternoon school for swearing at English teacher
this morning." 3.18pm May 5.

Another update stated: "Have three Aspergers boys in SI class -never a
dull moment! Always offer a different, interesting take on things."
8.37pm April 21.

She also complained about some of her classes, writing in one tweet:
"The thought of having some of my S4 beyond exam time doesn't bear
thinking about - for them as well as me I suspect!" 9.33pm May 10.

Elsewhere she 'tweeted': "Had S3 period 6 Friday for last two years,
usually following two periods prep time, don't know who least wants to
do anything, them or me," 5.40pm May 10.

One angry parent, who read the messages, said she knew half the
children that were being commented on, adding: "I am outraged that she
describes children as hard work.

"She is paid a lot of money to do her job and it is unbelievable that
she sitting talking about them on a computer rather than teaching."

Gordon Chalmers, a local councillor in Oban, said: "I do not pay my
council tax so that staff can waste time on these sites.

"People should be spending time with real people rather than with
cyber friends.

"It is a drain on public resources. It's shocking."

A council spokesman said social networking sites were blocked in all
schools as a matter of policy.

She added: "Any member of staff found to have breached council policy
will face appropriate disciplinary action.

"Teachers may request access to blogs which have an educational
value."