Ministry of Education Issues Guidelines for Using Social Media Platforms

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Education has today issued a circular emphasizing that social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Viber, and Telegram, which are used for educational activities in schools, must be operated under continuous supervision and regulation by school authorities.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Education said that principals, vice principals and department heads must act as administrators of these communication groups. Secretary of the Ministry of Education J.M. Thilaka Jayasundara said that the Ministry has been receiving reports regarding the negative impacts of social media platforms in schools.

As a result, she has issued detailed instructions through the circular to all Provincial Secretaries, Education Secretaries, Provincial, Zonal, and Divisional Education Directors, as well as Principals and Vice Principals, on how to manage this matter.

The key instructions provided by the Ministry of Education regarding the use of social media platforms in educational activities are as follows.

Principals, vice principals or department heads must serve as administrators for communication groups, such as WhatsApp, Viber, and Telegram, used within the school system.

These groups must be subject to continuous monitoring and regulation by the school administration.

Administrators are fully accountable for any harm, including damage to the school's reputation, caused by these platforms.

Communication groups should be limited to discussions within the prescribed curriculum and educational activities.

Students who lack access to technological devices should not be disadvantaged by the use of these platforms.

Educational materials for primary school students should be communicated in a structured and organized manner.

Social media platforms should only be used for reminders or notifications related to academic matters.

These platforms should not cause inconvenience to parents or family members when distributing assignments or homework to students.

No messages, images, audio recordings, or announcements that may violate students' privacy or cause mental stress should be shared via these platforms.

Any such incidents will result in strict disciplinary action.

In the event of issues or disputes within these communication groups, legal action will be taken in accordance with Sri Lanka's laws, including the Right to Information Act and the Information and Communication Technology Act.