Bangladesh orders punishment for primary school teachers over 'insulting, offensive' social posts

The government wants departmental action against those who will be identified

The Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has ordered departmental action against government primary school teachers who are “tarnishing” the government's image by allegedly posting insulting and offensive posts on social media.

The ministry wrote to the director general of the Directorate of Primary Education and the director of the Children Welfare Trust on Tuesday.

Deputy Secretary Rajib Kumar Sarker told bdnews24.com, “Some teachers at government primary schools are posting insulting remarks, spreading propaganda and sharing objectionable content against the government, its departments and decisions.

“This is tarnishing the government's image."

Rajib said such activities violate rules applicable to government employees, including guidelines on the use of social media.

“The Directorate of Primary Education and the Child Welfare Trust have been asked to identify such teachers, take departmental action against them and inform the ministry of the measures taken,” he said.

According to the letter, the “Guidelines for the Use of Social Media in Government Institutions-2019”, issued by the Cabinet Division, is applicable to all government employees.

It warned that failure to comply with the guidelines constitutes a violation of government service rules and would be treated as misconduct under the Government Servants (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 2018.