TSC Data Male Teachers Misbehaving Rising Cases Shocks
Official data from the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) shows that nearly all teachers deregistered for various offenses since 2020 have been male. Out of the 562 deregistered teachers, only five are female, reflecting a concerning trend. Once deregistered, teachers are barred from teaching in both public and private schools.
The number of deregistered teachers has more than doubled in the past two years. The TSC uses several regulations, including the Teachers Act (2012), the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers, and the Code of Regulations for Teachers, to discipline teachers. However, the specific offenses leading to deregistration are not disclosed. According to education stakeholders, the most common reasons for deregistration include sexual offenses, alcoholism, absenteeism, and financial misconduct.
Sexual offenses account for the majority of these cases, followed by absenteeism. Male teachers have been more frequently involved in disciplinary issues such as alcoholism and indiscipline. Edward Obwocha, the national secretary for secondary schools with the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers, expressed concern over the growing number of sexual offenses and absenteeism cases, attributing absenteeism to the financial strain many teachers face due to low salaries and heavy loan burdens.
The pattern of male teachers dominating the list of deregistered educators is evident from annual reports. In 2022, 100 teachers were deregistered, with only two being female. In 2023, of the 172 deregistered teachers, only one was female. The trend has continued into 2024, with 175 teachers deregistered so far, but just one female.
The TSC has been consistent in publishing gazette notices of deregistered teachers. For instance, in April 2024, the commission announced the deregistration of 65 teachers for unspecified offenses, while in August 2024, the registration of 33 teachers was revoked following disciplinary hearings. Grounds for removal from the register include fraudulent registration, criminal convictions, or conditions that prevent a teacher from fulfilling their duties, such as mental or physical illness.
The trend of male teachers facing more disciplinary actions than their female counterparts raises concerns about the nature of misconduct within the profession, particularly in areas such as sexual offenses and absenteeism, and calls for further scrutiny into the causes of these behaviors.
