TSC delists 26 tutors for professional misconduct

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has deregistered 26 teachers for professional misconduct.

The body's chief executive Nancy Macharia said the move was taken “after due disciplinary process” was carried out in conformity with TSC Act and Code of Regulations for teachers.

The commission has since published names of the affected teachers in the Kenya Gazette notice of October 4.

“In exercise of powers conferred by section 30(1) (e) of TSC Act, the commission wishes to notify the public that the persons whose names appear in the notice have been removed from register of teachers,” said Macharia.

The TSC boss further said where the names of any teacher is removed from the register under the TSC Act, it will not be reinstated except by direction of the commission.

“A teacher whose name has been removed from the register shall cease to be a teacher for purposes of this Act with effect from the date of such removal. A person shall not engage in teaching unless registered as a teacher under this Act,” Macharia added.

She further warned that any person who is not a teacher or assists in teaching any school, permits or employs non-registered teachers is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not less than Sh100,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or both.

In March, TSC said it had interdicted 1,077 tutors in the last eight years for sexually harassing learners.

Six counties recorded the highest number of teachers disciplined for what TSC described as “immoral behaviours towards learners”. The deregistered teachers are also barred from practising in private schools.

Top on the list is Kakamega with 88 cases, Kisii with 61, and Homabay (60). The fourth county is Kitui with 53 cases while Bungoma and Siaya had 47 and 46, respectively.

Macharia said the commission will continue to take disciplinary action against teachers found guilty of misconduct.

“A teacher may be removed from the register if they commit or engage in immoral behaviour with or towards a learner.

Immoral behaviour with or towards a learner includes but not limited to sexual intercourse or sexual abuse, sodomy, lesbianism, sexual harassment or flirtation,” Macharia said in March.

TSC made the move against the backdrop of concerns over the rising cases of teenage pregnancies in schools.