Tallinn high school fires teacher over inappropriate messages to student
This week, Tallinn Secondary School of Science terminated its employment relationship with teacher and education director Madis Somelar, who, according to daily Postimees, sent inappropriate messages to a student at the high school. A criminal case was not initiated.
A spokesperson for the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) told Postimees (link in Estonian) on Friday that the police were notified on February 13 that a teacher at a Tallinn school had sent sexually explicit messages to a minor student.
Central Tallinn district police chief Liisa Merekivi confirmed that the police investigated the incident. However, the police concluded that the act in question was not punishable by law, as the student was over 16 years old, and thus there were no grounds for initiating criminal proceedings.
According to Postimees' information, Somelar was removed from his position as a teacher at Tallinn Secondary School of Science for sending inappropriate messages to a boy who attends the school.
After the news broke in the media, Somelar told Delfi that he respects the director's decision. He added that he will leave the school because he engaged in an inappropriate and ambiguous conversation with a student on social media.
"I recognize my mistake and publicly apologize to the student and their family, and will also do so personally at an appropriate opportunity," he said, adding that he also apologized to the Reaal School community. "Through my actions, I have cast a shadow over you."
This article was updated on April 10, 2025.
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