Infamous Conduct In TSC —What Is Professional Misconduct For Teachers?

tsc infamous conduct and professional misconduct

List Of Offences That Can Lead To Removal From The TSC Register

As a teacher, it’s crucial to understand the professional standards expected by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).

Failure to adhere to these standards can lead to serious consequences, including removal from the TSC register.

Let’s delve into the key offences that can result in disciplinary action:

Negligence of Duty:

This includes willful neglect or careless performance of assigned work.

Examples include failure to teach scheduled lessons, prepare professional documents like schemes of work, allowing examination cheating, grading fake marks, and failing to attend school assemblies or official meetings.

Chronic Absenteeism:

Persistent or repeated absence from duty without permission or being consistently late can lead to deregistration from the TSC list.

Desertion of Duty:

Absence from duty for 14 continuous days without written permission, including weekends and public holidays, is considered desertion.

This includes failing to report for posting after study leave or proceeding on study leave without approval.

Insubordination:

Failure to obey instructions from supervisors, such as the Commission Secretary, Heads of Institution, or County Directors, is considered insubordination.

This includes failing to respond to letters from supervisors or failing to take up a posting after disciplinary action.

Infamous Conduct:

This includes behaviors like drunkenness or intoxication during working hours, fighting in public, behavior that brings the profession into disrepute, or actions that contravene Chapter Six of the Constitution.

Forgery, Impersonation, and Corrupt Deals:

Any involvement in forgery, impersonation, or presenting forged documents to the TSC, obtaining employment through fraud or bribery, or causing payment of salary to teachers not on duty can lead to deregistration.

Mismanagement, Misappropriation, and Embezzlement of Public Funds:

Mishandling public funds or property, misappropriating funds for unauthorized purposes, or embezzling public funds entrusted to a teacher are serious offences.

Conviction of Criminal Offence:

Being convicted or found guilty of a criminal offence that renders a teacher unfit to perform their duties can lead to deregistration.

Incitement:

Any involvement in inciting students to delinquent deeds like strikes or fires in school is considered misconduct.

Immoral Behavior:

This includes sexual misconduct such as intercourse, sodomy, lesbianism, sexual harassment, flirtation, or exposure to pornographic materials with colleagues or students.

Understanding these offences is crucial for every teacher to avoid disciplinary action from the TSC.

Remember, prevention is better than cure.

FAQs On Infamous Conduct and Professional Misconduct for Teachers

Q: What constitutes infamous conduct for teachers in Kenya’s Teachers Service Commission (TSC)?

A: Infamous conduct for teachers includes various actions that reflect poorly on the teaching profession or violate ethical standards. These can include:

Drunkenness or intoxication during working hours.
Engaging in fights or violent actions in public.
Behaviors that bring the teaching profession into disrepute.
Contravening Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya, which deals with leadership and integrity.
Sexual misconduct, such as intercourse, harassment, or exposure to pornographic materials.
Incitement of students to engage in delinquent deeds like strikes.
Forgery, impersonation, corrupt deals, or bribery.
Mismanagement, misappropriation, or embezzlement of public funds or property.

Q: What should I do if I am facing allegations of professional misconduct?

A: If you are facing allegations of professional misconduct, it is important to cooperate fully with the investigation.

Seek legal advice if necessary and present any evidence or mitigating circumstances that may support your case.

Q: Can I appeal a decision to remove me from the TSC register?

A: Yes, you can appeal a decision to remove you from the TSC register.

You will need to follow the appeals process outlined by the TSC, which may involve submitting a formal appeal and attending a hearing.

Q: How can I prevent professional misconduct?

A: To prevent professional misconduct, ensure that you are familiar with the TSC’s code of conduct and adhere to professional standards at all times.

Attend training sessions and seek support if you are struggling with your workload or facing personal issues that may affect your performance.

Q: Can I be reinstated to the TSC register after being removed?

A: Yes, in some cases, you may be able to apply for reinstatement to the TSC register.

You will need to demonstrate that you have addressed the issues that led to your removal and that you are fit to return to teaching.

Q: Can I be removed from the TSC register for non-work-related conduct?

A: Yes, the TSC can remove you from the register for non-work-related conduct if it brings the teaching profession into disrepute or affects your ability to perform your duties effectively.