Group of male adults joined students’ online class; security settings on platform continue to be reviewed

A group of male adults joined an online class of second-year students at a post-primary school in Co Meath this week and engaged in improper behaviour. The class was stopped immediately after the incident and the school authorities reported the matter to the Garda, the family agency Tusla and the education department.

The online class for 14-year-old students was conducted on the digital platform Microsoft Teams. The school, which operates under the patronage of the Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB), clarified to the parents about the incident and also offered the necessary support.

A spokesman for LMETB said the incident was “very regrettable” and that it was the first time such an incident had taken place.

LMETB is reviewing the security settings on the platform to determine exactly what happened. The spokesman said the investigation is continuing with the help of IT to know exactly what happened. He asked the education department to issue vigilance instructions to all schools in the country in the wake of the incident.

The spokesman said that each staff member on the online platform has been sent guidance on how to admit guests.

There are about 20 post-primary schools under LMETB. The details of the incident were discussed with the principals. The spokesperson said that this was also explained at the regular meeting of senior officials of the education and training boards.