24.12.2025 08:05
The Ministry of National Education has launched an investigation following complaints about teachers who have gained followers on social media by sharing videos with their students. The ministry requested information about teachers and administrators with a high number of followers from all 81 provinces; sanctions ranging from reprimands to dismissal from public service are on the agenda.
While discussions continue regarding the sharing of images with students on social media and teachers increasing their follower counts through this method, the Ministry of National Education (MEB) has taken action. According to the information obtained, the Ministry has initiated an investigation following hundreds of complaints received by CİMER and the MEB Communication Center (MEBİM).
A "HIGH FOLLOWER" TEACHER LIST REQUESTED FROM 81 PROVINCES
According to a report in Türkiye newspaper, it has been learned that MEB requested the names, surnames, schools where they work, social media platforms used, and usernames of teachers and administrators with high follower counts from the 81 provincial directorates. Ministry sources state that their aim is not to prevent teachers from using social media, but to eliminate the risks associated with sharing images taken in classroom and school environments, violating school privacy, and protecting students.
"PHENOMENON TEACHERS" INCREASING EVERY DAY
In recent years, the increasing number of teachers who share videos with their students on social media accounts and quickly reach hundreds of thousands of followers has become a topic of public debate. Critics express that in some content, the classroom environment is turned into a "runway," and students are treated as "decor," while it is claimed that students feel uncomfortable due to comments, are subjected to cyberbullying, and are directed to social media. It is also mentioned that as some teachers' follower counts increase, they collaborate with brands and start producing advertising content.
YUSUF TEKİN: THIS BOUNDARY MUST BE WELL PROTECTED
Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin previously emphasized the need to protect the boundary regarding this issue, stating, "This boundary must be well protected. We will implement practices related to this."
DISCIPLINARY PENALTIES ON THE AGENDA
Following the investigation initiated by the Ministry, it is stated that a disciplinary process could be initiated under the Law No. 657 on Civil Servants. The law includes sanctions such as warning, reprimand, deduction from salary, suspension of promotion, and dismissal from civil service. Additionally, it is noted that if the income obtained through social media is evaluated as "additional income," further legal examination may be conducted.
“IMAGE SHARING” CLAUSE IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION LAW
The Teaching Profession Law (ÖMK) also draws attention to the provision regarding the sharing of student images. The relevant article states, "A reprimand penalty will be applied for the act of sharing information related to students' personal and private lives, or audio or video related to students and educational processes, outside the procedures specified in the relevant legislation." It is noted that the reprimand penalty remains in the teachers' record for 5 years.
EXPERTS: SHARING WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT MAY BE CONSIDERED ABUSE
Experts argue that sharing images of students from personal social media accounts without parental consent poses serious risks in terms of both privacy violation and children's rights. It is warned that such shares could negatively impact students' safety and psychological well-being.