Teachers’ social media lives need clear rules, not blanket policing

Makhi Feni, chairperson of the Select Committee on Education, Sciences and the Creative Industries and a permanent Eastern Cape delegate to the NCOP, urges the Western Cape Education Department to set clear rules for teachers’ social media activity. The department confirmed disciplinary proceedings against three educators over conduct on TikTok, Facebook and WhatsApp statuses, but did not specify the alleged offences. Feni says sanctions should be based on explicit rules and substantiated misconduct while respecting teachers’ privacy. He also calls for constructive educational uses of social media, including WhatsApp groups and discussions on X, to be encouraged rather than prioritising restrictions.