TSC to tame sexual abuse in schools

By Sam Otieno

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has issued new guidelines to eliminate sexual abuse in schools.

Teachers have been banned from sending pupils/students to teachers’ houses for any reason whatsoever.

TSC Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Gabriel Lengoiboni also issued a hotline to report cases of sexual abuse in schools.

The cases can be reported via 116, which is toll free from Safaricom, Orange, YU, Telkom, landline and wireless networks.

The facility is to counter cases of teachers having sexual relationships with students.

"Any teacher, other TSC employee or TSC agent who fails to report a case of sexual abuse or suspicion of the same shall face disciplinary action," said Mr Lengoiboni.

In a circular dated April 9, the TSC boss said any teacher, other TSC employee or agent who facilitates and or arranges cover-up of a case of sexual abuse against a pupil or student shall be considered an accomplice and shall face disciplinary action.

"No teacher shall induce, coerce, threaten or intimidate a pupil or student in any way and particularly in regard to their academic performance in order to have sexual relations with that pupil or student," read part of the circular.

Lengoiboni warned that any breach of the provisions of the circular would result in disciplinary action.

Head teachers have been instructed to ensure male pupils or students are accompanied by male teachers and female pupils or students by female teachers for co-curricular activities outside school.

within 24 hours

Lengoiboni said any teacher who finds out or suspects a case of sexual abuse of a pupil or student in or outside their school, or in any other school, must report such a case within 24 hours.

They are to report to the head teacher, education officials, school management committees, boards of governors, police or any organisation working with child protection issues and TSC.

School managements have been instructed to ensure that any pupil or student sent from school for any reason is only allowed to leave the school in the morning.

The heads are under instruction to tailor school rules in a way that they protect students from sexual abuse.

"These rules must include adequate measures for reporting, responding and any other form of support for pupils and students affected within the school and protect them from stigma," said Lengoiboni.

TSC defines sexual abuse by a teacher to a student as: Having sexual intercourse, touching of a pupil/student’s body, using suggestive language or gesture, threats or violence to force them to engage in sexual intercourse, any form of inducement, exposing them to pornographic material and any form of flirtation with or without consent.