TTPS Investigating Online Abuse Of Teachers

The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service says it has commenced investigations into several reports from the Ministry of Education of teachers being verbally abused and disrespected during their online classes. Via a press release, the TTPS says rcent instances of abuse have been reported by Secondary School teachers to the Cyber and Social Media Unit. The TTPS has since advised that such conduct should cease immediately and assured it will be working with both internal and external stakeholders to investigate and prosecute such behaviour. The Police Service says online classes should be safe spaces for both teachers and students alike, and therefore urged teachers to take all available measures to protect themselves and their students during online sessions. This includes recording their online teaching sessions, muting or removing abusive persons from the online teaching platform, and noting the attendance of students for each class. Recently, a recording of a local online class was shared via social media in which a class teacher was verbally abused by students signed in to her class. In another instance, the Principal and teachers of a Port of Spain school were verbally abused online while trying to conduct an orientation session. TTT News understands the matter has since been reported to both the Police Service and Ministry of Education for further action.