The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has intensified disciplinary action against educators found guilty of sexual misconduct and immoral behavior, a move aimed at safeguarding learners across the country.
Appearing before the Senate Education Committee in Mombasa, TSC Director of Legal, Labour and Industrial Relations, Cavin Anyuor, disclosed that the commission has received 111 cases of misconduct since January 2024. These cases involve serious allegations, including sexual intercourse with learners, molestation, flirtation, lesbianism, and exposure to pornography.
69 Teachers Deregistered
According to TSC, many of the cases have been concluded, with 69 teachers deregistered from the teaching roll. Deregistration effectively bars them from ever practicing in any school, whether public or private, in Kenya.
“We are dealing firmly with teachers found culpable of engaging in immoral conduct with learners. The safety and well-being of children in schools remain our top priority,” Mr. Anyuor emphasized.
The Senate Committee expressed alarm over the growing trend, urging the commission to strengthen preventive measures and put in place stricter monitoring mechanisms in schools.
Rising Concerns Over Safety in Schools
The crackdown comes against the backdrop of rising public concern about the safety of learners in both primary and secondary schools. Parents, teachers’ unions, and child rights organizations have increasingly raised alarm about cases of abuse, with some incidents previously going unreported due to fear, stigma, or weak reporting structures.
Education experts argue that while disciplinary action is necessary, the system must also address prevention and early intervention. This includes:
- Enhanced vetting of teachers before employment.
- Stronger reporting mechanisms to encourage students to speak up.
- Regular sensitization programs on professional ethics.
- Counseling services for both students and teachers to foster safer learning environments.
The TSC finds itself under pressure to not only punish offenders but also restore confidence in the teaching profession. With education being one of Kenya’s largest sectors, employing over 350,000 teachers, maintaining high ethical standards is seen as essential to sustaining public trust.
The Senate Committee vowed to continue oversight on the issue, urging TSC and the Ministry of Education to collaborate in addressing gaps that allow such misconduct to thrive.
As the crackdown continues, the message is clear: teachers found abusing their position of trust will face the full weight of the law, alongside permanent removal from the teaching service.
