UK teachers told to follow protocol when allowing student contact

Along with learning how to manage the classroom and organizing curriculum, British teachers now must worry about learning technology protocol, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Due to possible accusations and complaints against teachers, The National Union of Teachers (NUT) is advising teachers not to text-message students outside of school.

The union stated that there have been complaints by students against teachers, but 90 percent of them were found to be untrue.

Avis Gilmore, the NUT regional secretary, explained that the issue of anonymity seems to give some people the license to say and post whatever they want. Schools are warning teachers and students to use school Internet where it can be monitored.

"It's now in all the advice we give that we tell students in the final year of training not to give personal details, such as mobile phone numbers or email addresses, to pupils.

"If it has to be done, use the school Internet system, where everything can be checked. The use of mobile phones and email has increased so the potential for these types of complaints has increased."