TSC’s New Law Bars Teachers From Hosting Students in Their Homes: Penalties
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Amendment Bill poses a potential risk for teachers who accommodate students or pupils in their homes or hotel rooms.
According to the bill, which is currently open for public participation, there are more than 25 disciplinary incidents outlined that could result in the loss of service numbers or prosecution for registered teachers.
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Among the listed offenses are serious allegations including sexual solicitation and sodomy, as well as less severe infractions such as falsifying documents and hosting students in teachers’ residences.
Specifically, the bill mentions that hosting learners in teachers‘ residences, guest houses, hotels, or lodging will be considered a disciplinary offense.
Additionally, engaging students in household chores at teachers’ residences is categorized as a major offense.
Other offenses range from professional misconduct like negligence of duty and chronic lateness to more behavioral issues like drunkenness, fighting, and use of vulgar language.
Penalties for these offenses vary, including warnings, surcharges, six-month suspensions, or removal from the register. More severe actions such as forced retirement, dismissal, or termination of membership may also be imposed.
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However, teachers are afforded the opportunity to appeal before their names are struck off the register.
Recently, 23 teachers were deregistered by the TSC due to various disciplinary cases where they were found guilty of multiple offenses.
The Commission published the details of their removal in a Gazette notice, specifying their TSC numbers, case numbers, names, and dates of removal. Despite this, the stipulated charges against these teachers were not disclosed by Macharia.
The Gazette notice stated, “In exercise of powers conferred by section 30 (1) (e) of the Teachers Service Commission Act, the commission wishes to notify the public that the persons whose names are specified in the Schedule herein below have been removed from the Register of Teachers pursuant to the provision of section 30 (2) of the Teachers Service Commission Act.”
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TSC’s New Law Bars Teachers From Hosting Students in Their Homes: Penalties
