Updated TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers

Updated TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers

(Legislative Supplement No. 57)

LEGAL NOTICE N0. 162

THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION ACT

(No. 20 o/2012)

THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION (CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS FOR TEACHERS) REGULATIONS, 2015.

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS PART I-PRELIMINARY

I -Citation.

PART II- REQUIREMENTS

I I -Conduct of duties. 12- Profesionalism.

13-Conflict of interest. 14-Confidentiality.

15-Care of public property 16-Political activity.

 

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26-Prohibited drugs and psychotropic substances. 27 – Financial dealings and private affairs.

28-Official dealings.

29-Canvassing for favours in service. 30-Endorsing of private activities.

Appendix-Staff Integrity Pact Form A – Report of Gifts Received

For B-Declaration of Conflcit of Interest

 

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THE TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION ACT

(No. 20 of2012)

IN EXERCISE of the powers conferred by section 48 of the Teachers Service Commission Act, (No. 20 of 2012) and section 37

THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS FOR TEACHERS, 2015 PART I-PRELIMINARY

  1. This Code may be cited as the Code of Ethics for Teachers,

 

2015.

  1. In this Code, unless the context otherwise requires-

“Act” means the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012;

“asset” means a thing, tangible or intangible, owned, whether

 

wholly or in part, or controlled by a teacher, which has an actual or determinable economic value and can be sold, exchanged or otherwise used or applied to meet an obligation or acquire something else in return;

“bid rigging” refers to a benefit that is given or received for not submitting a tender, proposal, quotation or bid; or withdrawing or changing a tender, proposal, quotation or bid; or submitting a tender, proposal, quotation or bid with a specified price or with any specified

I,                                          inclusions or exclusions;

“conflict of interest” refers to instances when a teacher’s personal interest clashes with his or her official duties;

“client” means a person to whom services are rendered by a teacher and includes learners, parents and other members of the public;

“employer” means a person, institution or entity that engages the services of a teacher;

“harmful sexual activity” means any act of a sexual nature that may cause physical, emotional or psychological torture which includes but not limited to flirtation, sodomy, sexual intercourse, lesbianism, defilement, indecent touching, rape, sexual assault;

“learner” means a person undergoing instruction in an educational institution;

“pornography” means explicit depiction of sexual subject matter electronically or otherwise;

“pornographic materials” includes but not limited to material such as literature, photography, or other printed or visual material depicting sex organs or sexual activity in a way that is designed to arouse sexual excitement, erotic stimulation rather than education;

“teacher” means a person who has been trained as a teacher as provided for in law and registered as a teacher;

“unethical behaviour” refers to any action or omission that contravenes the provisions, spirit and tenor of this Code;

 

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“values” refers to norms, principles and standards of behaviour expected of a teacher as amplified by Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Commission’s core values;

“Secretary” refers to the Chief Executive Officer of the Teachers Service Commission appointed pursuant to Article 250 (12) of the Constitution of Kenya;

“sex toy” means an object or device that is primarily used in facilitating human sexual pleasure;

“Sexual harassment” refers to an act by a teacher who persistently makes any sexual advances or requests including gestures, cat calls, jokes or comments including innuendos, regarding another person’s sexuality if the person doing it knows or ought to know or has reasonable grounds to know, are unwelcome;

“subversive activity” means any act which by its nature, upsets public order, peace and security and shall include anything done to endanger, undermine or is detrimental to public policy and interest; and

“vacancy” means an existing and available post for recruitment, transfer and promotion at the Commission.

  1. This Code shall apply to all registered PART II-REQUIREMENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Application.

 

  1. (i) Every teacher has a responsibility to comply with the

provisions of this Code.

  1. (1) A teacher shall respect and abide by the Constitution and Rule of

the law.

(2) A teacher shall carry out the duties of his or her office in accordance with the law.

 

  1. A teacher’s position is of public trust and the authority and responsibility vested in his or her office shall be exercised in the best interest of the learners, institution and members of the public.
  2. (1) Every teacher shall respect and uphold the personal rights and freedoms of all persons as guaranteed in Chapter 4 of the

(2) Notwithstanding the generality of the provisions in Para raph (1), a teacher in the performance of his duty shall not discriminate directly or indirectly against any person on any ground including, race, sex, pregnancy, marital status, health status, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.

Public trust.

 

 

 

Fundamental rights and freedoms.

 

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  1. A teacher shall not while performing his duty practice nepotism, favoritism, tribalism, cronyism, religious bias or engage in corrupt or unethical practices.
  2. (1) A teacher shall be entrusted with the duty of care of a child, including a child with special needs and shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the child is protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultµral practices, all forms of violence, discrimination, inhuman treatment, corporal punishment and exposure to hazardous or exploitative Jabour.

(2) A teacher shall not deny learning materials or remedial teaching services to a learner on account of their natural abilities.

Nepotism or favpritism.

 

 

Duty to prot ct children.

 

  1. (1) A teacher shall carry out his or her duties with honesty and impartiality and shall not allow family, social, political or other rel<1tionships to inf!Dcence his or her conduct or judgment.
a

.          (4) A teacher shiill not misappropriate public funds.

1l. A teacher’s assigned duties shall take precedence over all his           Conduct of duties.

or her other activities and in the performance of these duties, the following standards shall apply-                         ·

 

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  1. (1) A teacher shall ensure that his or her private and public

conduct upholds the dignity and integrity of the teaching service.

 

  1. (I) A teacher shall avoid being in a position in which his or her personal interests conflict with his or her duties.

Conflict of interest.

 

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  1. (1) A teacher shall ensure that confidential information or

documents entrusted to his or her care are adequately protected from improper or inadvertent disclosu!.’e.

(2) A teacher shall follow the Commission’s Regulations, procedures and directives for safeguarding information and documents and shall not disclose any information in contravention of such Regulations, procedures and directives.

 

  1. (1) A teacher shall take all reasonable steps to ensure that public or institutional property in his or her custody, possession, or control is taken care of and is in good condition.

Care of public and institutional property.

 

  1. (1) A teacher shall maintain political neutrality at all times Political

and shall not act in a manner that may compromise or be perceived to compromise his or her neutrality.

 

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  1. (1) A teacher shall not use his .or her office to improperly enrich himself or others.

2 is given without the knowledge of the teacher or it would be offensive to custom or good public relations to refuse the gift, such a teacher may accept the gift provided that such acceptance shall not unduly influence his or her decision in the performa,nce of his or her duty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Improper enrichment.

 

  1. (1) A teacher involved in the receipt and administration of

donations to an institution shall ensure that proper records are kept of

 

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the donations and that the donations are used for the purposes for which they were given.

(2) A teacher who has reasonable grounds to believe that-

shall inform the Secretary or any other relevant authority.

  1. A teacher who has a duty to give advice shall give honest, accurate, and impartial advice without fear or favor.
to
  1. (1) A teacher shall evaluate learners honestly based on their

(2) A teacher shall ensure that internal and external examinations are conducted fairly and without cheating.

  1. (l) A teacher shall not-

(c:1)   engage in any sexual activity whatsoever with a learner, regardless of whether the learner consents;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional advice.

 

 

 

 

Evaluation of learners.

 

 

 

 

Sexu\11 rela\i<ms with learners.

 

  1. (1) A teacher shall not- Sex11al

h11rassment.

 

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(2) It shall be the duty of the person alleging sexual harassment to report the same to the relevant authority.

  1. A teacher shall-
    • treat fellow employees and the public with dignity, courtesy and respect;
    • avoid behavior that is unbecoming, abusive, belittling or threatening to fellow employees or any member of the public; and
    • not bully or perpetrate offensive behaviour which is vindictive, cruel, malicious or humiliating and is intended to undermine a fellow employee or a member of the public.

 

 

 

 

 

Relations with fellow employees.

 

  1. (1) A teacher shall ensure that his or her station of work is

free of pornography and pornographic material.

(2) A teacher shall not-

 

  1. (I) A teacher shall not-
    • supply illicit drugs, cigarettes, or alcohol to a learner;
    • expose a learner to illicit drugs, cigarettes and alcohol; or
    • assist a learner to access illicit drugs, cigarettes and

(2) A teacher shall-

  1. A teacher shall –
    • live within his or her means and avoid incurring any financial liability he or she cannot satisfy;

Prohibited drugs and psychotropic substances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial dealings and private affairs.

 

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  1. A teacher shall –
    • practice and promote the principles of equity, inclusiveness, protection of the marginalized, integrity and professional competency;
    • not, knowingly and deliberately, withhold information that is not protected with a view to disadvantage any person including teaching vacancies or posts, promotions or other official correspondence;
    • not engage in private business during official working hours; and
    • not, if serving on a full time basis, engage in any other gainful Gainful employment for purposes of this Code refers to, but is not limited to work that a teacher may-
      • pursue and perform for money or other forms of regular compensation or remuneration;
      • perform which is inherently incompatible with his or her official responsibilities;
      • perform and which results in the impairment of judgment or conflict of interest;
      • perform and which affects the performance of his official duties; or
      • perform on a full time basis during official working
  1. A teacher shall not canvass or lobby, either directly or indirectly, for any favours in the teaching service or in any other
  2. A teacher shall not use his or her position or title or any authority associated with his or her office in a manner that could reasonably be construed to imply that the Commission or institution sanctions or endorses any activities, either by him orher or by any other person, that are not activities of the institution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official dealings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canvassing for favours in service.

 

 

Endorsing private activities.

 

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  1. (1) A teacher is part and parcel of the society i11 which he orshe lives and whereas he or she should not be isolated, he orshe is expected to remain within dignified limits and to particularly-
    • project a good image in the community where he or she Jives by participating appropriately in the communal activities; and
    • set a good example to the learners and the public by obeying lawfully established authority and being Jaw
  1. A teacher JUqY engage in teaching or learning activities outside normal school hours to promote education provided that he or she shall not conduct holiday tuition.

33, (1) A teacher shall not, in a manner that may be detrimental to the security interests of Kenya, be an agent for or further the interests of a foreign government, organization or individual.

(2) For the purpose of this paragraph:-

  1. (I) A teacher who:-
    • causes anything to be done through another person that would, if done by the teacher,would be a contravention of this Code; or
    • allows or qirects a person under his or· her supervision or control to do anything that is a contravention of this Code;
    • would be in breach of the provisions of this

(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to anything done without the teacher’s knowledge, consent or the teacher took reasonable steps to prevent it.

35: A teacher s,,aJI not subscribe to or be involved in asspciations, sponsor or support a group that is proscribed or involved iq any subyersive µctivity.·

  1. A ft:icicher (;ngaged in public service must submit-

( )      an initial decl ration within thirty days after employmi;:nt;

Civil and charita le activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday tuition..

 

 

 

Acting for foreigners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acting through others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subversive associatio11.

 

 

Declaration o’t income, assets a11d liabilities.

 

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  1. (I) If a teacher considers that anything required of him orher

is a contravention of this Code or is otherwise improper, unethical or unlawful, the teacher shall report the matter to an appropriate authority.

  1. (1) The Commission may investigate or cause to be

investigated any allegation of breach of this Code so as to determine the veracity of such allegation.

 

  1. For the purposes of section36(1) of the Leadership and Integrity Act and paragraph 37(1) of this Code a teacher may report any matter to the Secretary, head of institution or any other appropriate authority as the case may be.
  2. Any teacher who is alleged to have violated the provisions of this Code will be subjected to the laid down disciplinary procedures under the Teachers Service Commission Act and the Code of Regulations of Teachers.
  3. This Code may be reviewed from time to time as the Commission may deem appropriate.

 

 

 

 

Reporting Authority.

 

 

 

Breach of this Code.

 

 

 

Review of this Code.

 

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STAFF INTEGRITY PACT (TO BE FILLED IN DUPLICATE)

I.. ……………………………………..TSC/…………….  do hereby confirm  that I

have read the contents of the Teachers Service Commission Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teach rs ( Revised 2014) and hence commit to adhere to its provisions at all times and uphold both my personal integrity and the integrity of the Commission.

Date:………………………… Sign:…………………………………………………….

In the presence of:

 

 

 

 

 

SECRETARY

TEACHERS SERVICE COMMISSION

(FORM A)

Report of Gifts Received

To:   (approving   Authority)   ………………………………………………………………………..

Description of Offer or:

 

 

Name and title:

 

 

Company:_    ……………………………………………………………………………………..

Relationship  (Business/personal):………………………………………………………………

Occasion on which the gift was/is to be received: ……………………………………………..

Description  &  (assessed)  value  of  gift:………………………………………………………..

Suggested Method of Disposal

 

 

Name  of  receiving  staff……………………………………………………………………….

Title………………………………………. Date……………………………….

Part B -Acknowledgment (to be completed by approving authority)

 

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To (receiving staff)

 

The recommended method of disposal is *Approved/Not Approved

The gift(s) concerned should be disposed of by way of:…………………………………. Name of Approving Authority …………………………………………………………………

Title……………………………………………………···············································   Department.      ……………………………………………………………………………………

Date……………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

 

*Please delete as appropriate

 

 

(FORMB)

 

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

 

Part A-Declaration (to be completed by declaring staff) To: (Approving Authority)

I would like to report the following existing/potential* conflict of interest situation arising during the discharge of my official duties:

Persons/companies with whom/which I have official dealings and /or personal interest

  1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………
  3. ………………..················································—-·—-······–·······························

Brief description of my duties which involve the persons/companies mentioned above and these are the areas of real/possible conflict of interest.

  1. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  2. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
  3. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Name  of   Declaring  Staff ………………………………………………………………………………

Title……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Department   …………………………………………………………………………………………….

Date……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Part B-acknowledgment (to be completed by approving authority) To: Declaring Staff

The information contained in your declaration for……………… is noted. It has been decided

that:

You should refrain from performing or getting involved in performing the work, as described in Part A, which may give rise to connict of interest.

 

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You should continue to handle the work as described in Part A, provided that there is no change in the information declared above.

Other conditions (please specify):

 

 

 

Name  of  Declaring  Staff ………………………………………………………………………………….

‘ritle………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Department………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Date……………………·…………………………………………………………………………………..

THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER. NAIROBI

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