TSC Sick Leave- How to apply, requirements and duration

A sick teacher is granted permission to be away from duty until she/ he heals. Once sick, you can apply for Sick Leave to the Teachers Service Commission,TSC, through the TSC leave application Portal.

An application for Sick Leave shall be filled to the Commission not later than Forty Eight (48) hours where the teacher attended hospital as an out-patient and not later than  seven (7) days where the teacher is an in-patient.

Application for sick leave by Head of Institution

A Head of Institution who on account of illness, is unable to attend to the duties assigned by the Commission as required, shall apply for Sick Leave to the Commission through the TSC leave application portal.

Sick Leave Entitlement

The Commission may approve Sick Leave for a teacher in any period of twelve (12) months continuously, which sick leave may be granted: –

• for a maximum period of three(3) months with full pay;
• on half pay for a further three(3) months where the sickness extends beyond the third month; and
• without pay where the sickness extends beyond six(6) months until the teacher resumes duties.

The Commission shall, where a teacher applying for Sick Leave is serving on contractual terms for a period not exceeding one(1) year, grant Sick Leave: –

•  for a maximum period one month with full pay;
• on half pay for a further one month when the sickness extends beyond the first month; and
•  without pay where the sickness extends beyond two(2) months until the teacher resumes duty;Where the teacher is continuously on Sick Leave for a period exceeding one (1) year, the Commission shall recommend to the Director of Medical Services to convene a Medical Board to determine whether or not such a teacher is fit to continue teaching.

Where a teacher who has been on sick leave continuously for more than six (6) months in a period of twelve (12) months reports back for duty, the teacher shall report for posting in person to the County Director and shall produce a Certificate of Medical Fitness from a registered medical practitioner.

Application for Sick Leave

A registered Medical Practitioner may recommend that on account of illness a teacher: –

• be admitted to a hospital for treatment;
• be granted off-duty to recuperate; or
• receives medical treatment at home;

Where a registered medical practitioner recommends a leave of less than six (6) months for a teacher or Head of Institution, the teacher or Head of Institution shall apply for Sick Leave to the Commission and the leave may be granted by the County Director.

Where a teacher has continuously been on Sick Leave for a period exceeding six (6) months, the County Director shall forward the teacher’s application for Sick Leave to the Secretary.

The Commission shall, where a teacher fails to apply for Sick Leave in accordance with these Regulations, consider the teacher to be absent from duty without permission and may take disciplinary action against the teacher.

The Commission shall consider the recommendation for Sick Leave from a registered Medical Practitioner: –

• only where the leave authorized does not exceed a maximum of two(2) weeks; and
• where a further medical report submitted to the Commission to the effect that the
  teacher requires to be absent from duty for a period exceeding two weeks.

A teacher who donates an organ to a patient shall apply for Sick Leave as per the registered Medical Practitioner’s recommendation.

A teacher who submits false medical documents to the Commission shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Sick Leave Outside the Country

Where a teacher is referred by a registered medical practitioner to seek medical attention outside the country, the teacher shall be entitled to sick leave with pay in accordance with these Regulations.

Where a teacher seeks medical attention outside the country without recommendation from a registered Medical Practitioner, the Commission may approve sick leave without pay upon verification of a medical report from the health institution which the teacher attended.