Nikita Tushkanov, a teacher from Mikun who was dismissed because of his posts in social networks, held a one-person picket in front of the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth Policy of the Komi Republic on June 2. He stood with a poster saying, "Keep silent or die" in order to draw attention to the silencing of teachers' problems and the delay in the judicial proceedings for his reinstatement. Tushkanov told 7x7 about this.
Nikita Tushkanov in front of the Ministry of Education of the Komi Republic. Photo by Irina Leontyeva
According to Nikita Tushkanov, he wanted to encourage teachers not to be silent and to talk about poor school funding and low salaries. The man suggested that officials of the republican Ministry of Education should check school No. 1 of the town of Mikun, where, according to his information, there even was no framework schedule. By means of his rally, the former teacher also intended to draw attention to the fact that the judicial proceedings for his reinstatement were being delayed.
"The memes that I published after my dismissal have been attached to the materials of the case [by representatives of the Department of Education of the Ust-Vym District and the school]. In their opinion, this affects the school’s authority. They have also been talking about examining my posts for the presence of acts of indecency since the end of April. The court ordered them to have this examination conducted by July 9," Nikita Tushkanov told 7x7.
The man believes that the Ust-Vym District Court is not going to satisfy his claim and reinstate him. However, he is sure that his dismissal is illegal.
Nikita Tushkanov, a history and social studies teacher at school No. 1 of the town of Mikun, held a picket in defense of liberty of speech on January 23, 2021. He stood with a poster saying, "Keep silent or die". After that, officials of the Department of Education of the Ust-Vym District asked him to resign voluntarily. However, the Head of the Department of Education of the district Elena Pekach denied this in a conversation with 7x7's correspondent.
In March, the teacher was dismissed for "committing an act of indecency by an employee performing educational functions." Officials found alcohol and suicide propaganda in Tushkanov's posts. He posted the order for dismissal on Instagram. Elena Gulina from Syktyvkar held a one-person picket in support of the teacher. A petition, where signatories demanded that the management of the Department of Education of the Ust-Vym District reinstate the teacher, was created on Change.org.
