'We support free and professional speech'
Iraqi minister of education cancels directive to social media use for teachers
BAGHDAD — The Directorate of Legal Affairs at the Iraqi Ministry of Education announced Tuesday the cancellation of a directive that aimed to prohibit teachers from posting political opinions on their personal social media accounts.
According to an official document, the ministry clarified that the widely circulated letter concerning disciplinary action against educators for defamation pertains to recommendations from an investigative committee regarding a specific school and is not a general directive for all schools. The document did not provide details about the specific school in question.
The ministry expressed its dedication to supporting “free and professional speech,” ensuring that educators’ freedom of opinion and expression is not restricted. It added, “We fully trust that the educational and teaching staff embody noble and responsible qualities that contrast with irresponsible and uncivilized behavior.”
The contentious directive, dated May 2, 2024, was sent to all educational departments and schools within the General Directorate of Education. It mandated that staff avoid media appearances or social media posts without prior authorization from the appropriate entities, warning of legal and administrative consequences for both supervisors and violators: “Employees are prohibited from appearing on any media channels or posting on social media without prior official approval from the authorized entities. Ensure your staff and educational cadres adhere. Otherwise, both the head of the department or school principal and the offending employee will bear all legal and administrative consequences.”
The exposure of the directive incited significant backlash. Uday Al-Issawi, head of the Iraqi Teachers’ Union, stated that the directive impacts over a million educators by suggesting rampant misconduct among them. Al-Issawi, voicing strong opposition, emphasized the importance of personal freedoms and urged the education minister to overturn the decision. An official letter of protest was sent to the ministry.
The cancellation of the directive appears to be a response to the widespread criticism from Iraqi teachers and the teaching labor union.
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