TSC LIST OF OFFENCES: TEACHERS, AVOID THESE “SIMPLE” MISTAKES/ OFFENCES THAT CAN LEAD TO YOUR INTERDICTION OR DISMISSAL BY THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION
7 SIMPLE MISTAKES THAT CAN EARN A TSC TEACHER INTERDICTION WHICH KENYAN TEACHERS CAN EASILY AVOID
Kenyan teachers have in most cases found themselves getting interdicted, deregistered or dismissed over simple mistakes that they could have easily avoided.
These mistakes/ offences are enlisted under the TSC code of conduct and regulations which govern the behaviour of teachers deployed in Kenyan schools.
This article seeks to explain seven simple mistakes or offences that teachers commit which can earn them an interdiction or dismissal by the Teachers Service Commission.
7 SIMPLE MISTAKES TEACHERS MAKE THAT CAN LEAD TO AN INTERDICTION OR DISMISSAL BY THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION
1. Having carnal knowledge with learners (Immorality)
Adolescents can be very tempting but teachers should be made aware of the fact that any child who is still wearing a school uniform is not ready for “deflowering.”
Some people may argue that some girls or boys have attained the minimum legal age hence they should be considered and treated like grown-ups.
Do not forget that whenever TSC is handling any CK cases involving teachers, it is the learner’s word against you. It is therefore advisable to keep off learners whether they consent to your ‘pleas’ or not.
Acts considered to be part of immoral behaviour by TSC teachers include: having sexual intercourse with learners, sexual harassment, flirtation, exposing learners to pornographic materials, lesbianism, homosexuality/ sodomy and having love relationships with learners.
2. Teacher’s professional misconduct
Acts classified under professional misconduct include chronic absenteeism, desertion of duty and negligence of duty.
Desertion of duty refers to when a TSC employed teacher absents himself or herself for 14 continuous days (without official written permission from the head or deputy’s head).
This offence also includes failure to report back to school for reposting after the expiry of a TSC teacher’s study leave, failure to report to your new station or going for a study leave without being officially released.
Chronic absenteeism, on the other hand, refers to when a TSC employed teacher displays persistent or recurrent absence or lateness for duty.
Lastly, negligence of duty is a simple offence that can easily land a TSC employed teacher in trouble.
It involves the following: Deliberately neglecting any duty assigned or performing it carelessly, failing to teach all lessons on your time table, lack of professional documents such as lesson plans, schemes and records of work, awarding undeserved grades to learners, failing to turn up for your duty as a T.O. D or M.O.D, failing to attend official school meetings and assemblies and failure to accompany students during official functions.
3. Conviction of a criminal offence
A TSC teacher can get interdicted if s/ he is found guilty (convicted) of a criminal offence, jailed or given a non-custodial sentence since this renders the teacher in question “unfit” to continue serving as a teacher.
4. Infamous conduct in any professional respect
Infamous conduct by TSC teachers includes drunkenness or any form of intoxication during official TSC working hours, fighting in public or showing violence.
5. Insubordination
Insubordination can be simplified to mean disobedience/ undermining authority. Therefore, any act insinuating that a TSC employed teacher is undermining authority such as the head of a school, sub-county director or county director may lead to interdiction or dismissal by the TSC.
6. Forgery or impersonation (bribery and corruption)
If a TSC teacher provides fake signatures or stamps or obtains certificates and gets registered through fraudulent means then s/ he will be eligible for interdiction or dismissal.
Teachers who also engage in exam malpractices or misrepresent information can get interdicted or dismissed.
7. Embezzlement/ mismanagement/ misappropriation of school funds
Any TSC employed teacher should shun away from dipping his or her hands in the wrong cooking jar especially where school funds are involved.
Embezzlement refers to the fraudulent conversion of public funds and property into personal use.
Misappropriation, on the other hand, is the use of public funds for unauthorized/ wrong purposes.
Mismanagement is the handling of public funds or property in a manner likely to cause loss to the school.
