Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin announced that the draft Law on Teaching Profession (ÖMK), which includes articles to increase the penalties for violence against teachers, will be submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) next week.
The draft SCL also includes disciplinary provisions for teachers, which will increase sanctions and penalties against violence against teachers.
Student Images on Social Media and Penalties
In recent years, the number of phenomenal teachers who take videos with students and share them on social media has been on the rise. However, many teachers do not seek permission from students’ parents before posting these videos. The draft also includes provisions for these teachers who reach hundreds of thousands of followers. Teachers who take footage of students to become social media influencers will be penalized.
According to Sabah newspaper, the relevant article in the SCL is as follows:
“A reprimand penalty will be imposed for the act of sharing information about students’ personal and private lives, audio or video footage of students and educational processes outside the procedures specified in the relevant legislation.”
Reprimands will remain in teachers’ registry files for 5 years.
Experts state that it is actually an abuse for teachers to share images of their students on their personal accounts without parental consent.
Penalties for Slang and Bad Example
The draft also includes disciplinary provisions for teachers who set a bad example for their students. For example, teachers who use slang in the presence of their students will be subject to salary deductions.
According to the draft law, the following cases will be punishable with salary deductions:
Engaging in words, behaviors, attitudes and actions that set a negative example for students in a way that is incompatible with the teaching profession.
Being biased in the evaluation of students’ achievements.
Engaging in activities and practices contrary to the aims and objectives set by the curriculum approved by the Ministry during the education process.
