EACC: Culprits walking away with a slap on the wrist'

EACC Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo. He said demoting and transferring errant teachers, strengthens their resolve to steal. (PHOTO: FILE/ STANDARD)

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has been accused of failing to take stringent action against thieving teachers.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) Chief Executive Officer Halakhe Waqo said demoting and transferring errant teachers, strengthens their resolve to steal.

“The penalties meted out on teachers found to have misappropriated funds or even stolen books only leads to impunity,” he said.

Mr Waqo explained that in one school in Nyeri County, the team came across a statement written by pupils who caught a head teacher stealing books from the deputy head teacher’s office.

“The stolen books were not recovered but the head teacher was demoted and transferred to a different school. This is replicated in most disciplinary cases,” said Waqo.

Prudent management

He said it is not enough to transfer teachers found guilty of stealing funds, books and other materials.

“In the war to ensure prudent management of schools resources, these teachers should be reported and prosecuted,” said Waqo.

He said even when demoted, the teachers should be left in their current stations to suffer the embarrassment.

“If you demote the teacher and transfer him or her you are simply replicating the bad practice in the good school where the teacher is sent,” said Waqo.

The EACC audit report found that after the disciplinary action, recovered cash was never returned to affected schools by the TSC.

The report says that in some instances, head teachers accused of misappropriating free primary education funds are surcharged by the disciplinary committee of the TSC in Nairobi and the stolen funds said to be recovered.

“The recovered cash is never remitted to the affected schools or the ministry because the deductions are done through a payroll managed by TSC,” says report.

Waqo also criticized the ministry for failing to audit schools and to verify enrollment figures to stop theft.