Government teacher suspended for promoting private school complains of trolling on social media

A government teacher in Khammam was suspended for allegedly promoting a private school on social media during school hours. In an emotional Facebook video, she denied intent, sought mercy, and faced online trolling, while tribal groups planned protests alleging selective action

Khammam: A government teacher in the district, who was suspended from service for allegedly promoting a private school on social media platforms, shared a video on her Facebook page expressing her grievance.

Bhukya Gauthami, who works as a school assistant teaching English at Mamillagudem High School in Khammam, was accused of neglecting her duties at the school and promoting admissions for a private school in the city through Instagram reels.

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The district educational officer (DEO) Chaitanya Jaini issued orders placing the teacher under suspension. It was stated that despite previous warnings regarding the promotion of a private school’s admissions and making reels during school hours, she did not change her behaviour, following which orders were issued for her suspension.

In her Facebook video, Gauthami broke down in tears, complaining that she was being trolled on social media with harsh comments, and appealed to netizens to stop trolling her. The teacher said she made Instagram reels out of ignorance and due to a lack of guidance, while promising never to do so again.

She further stated that the teaching job was her main source of livelihood and that she would not do anything that jeopardised it. She claimed that she had distributed books and taken special classes to teach English to students because of her commitment to the profession.

Meanwhile, tribal organisations in the district were planning to meet the DEO, along with other caste organisations, to appeal against the teacher’s suspension. It was stated that one of the directors of the private school promoted by Gauthami was also a government teacher.

Despite this, higher officials of the education department have not taken any action against the director, as she belongs to an influential community and is the wife of a prominent contractor, alleged Dalit and tribal organisations.