TSC puts teachers on notice over campaigns

Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia. (Photo: Beverlyne Musili/Standard)

Public primary and secondary schools heads have been asked to ensure learners under their care are safe during this election period.

And teaches who abscond duty to attend to political campaigns will be punished, the teachers’ employer warned on Saturday.

“Heads of institutions are specifically called upon to ensure that during the campaign period, learners are kept from harms way,” said Teachers Service Commission (TSC) CEO Nancy Macharia.

At the same time, Macharia asked head teaches to ensure normal learning is not interrupted by political campaigns.

“Ensure teachers working under you are adequately supervised and are on duty at all times except with written permission,” she said. Macharia also said school resources such as buses must not be used for political activities. “Breach of the foregoing will result in disciplinary action under the code of regulation for teachers,” warned the CEO. In a circular sent to TSC County Directors, the commission also cautioned teachers against taking sides in the raging political heat, saying it is punishable under the law.

“The legal requirement calling for political neutrality must be observed, hence all teachers must avoid any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest with their performance at work,” she said.

 Macharia (pictured) cautioned teachers against absenteeism and roles that compromise their work performance and their professional standing.

“The performance of teaching duties in all learning institutions should not be affected by the political climate at the moment,” said Ms Macharia.