96 teachers banned from class for life over sex with students

A total of 126 teachers have been barred from teaching for the rest of their lives for engaging in sexual relations with students, among other forms of misconduct.

Ninety-six of them were found guilty of having sexual relations with their students.

They were struck off the Teachers Service Commission register, in a verdict reached last month by the TSC’s disciplinary committee. Only two female teachers were among them.

The cases had been taken before the commission by parents, students and schools.

The punishment is a departure, as the TSC previously transferred or suspended such teachers.

One of the affected teachers is Mr Lipeya Samuel Mulamula, who was accused of sodomising a 19-year-old student at Chavakali Boys High School in Vihiga County, in March, 2013.

TSC chief executive officer Gabriel Lengoiboni said the cases may not be a reflection of the whole picture of abuses in schools.

“We have a lot of cover-up by parents, communities and some teachers of cases of sexual relations between teachers and their students. Some are even unwilling to give evidence,” Mr Lengoiboni told the Nation.

He added that there were plans to release the names of de-registered teachers annually to ensure the public is informed.

ORDERED TO PAY

Recently, the High Court ordered Attorney-General Githu Muigai, the TSC, a Nakuru school and a former teacher, Mr Henry Stariko Amukoah, to jointly pay two girls Sh5 million.

That was to compensate the victims for being defiled by Mr Amukoah, Judge Mumbi Ngugi said.

The names of the teachers who have been struck off the TSC register were published in a notice released last month.

They had been found guilty of gross misconduct, according to the notice signed by a Ms Nancy Macharia for Mr Lengoiboni.

The notice said the TSC received complaints between 2011 and 2014, carried out investigations and made decisions between August 2011 and February this year.

It warned the public against enlisting the services of the de-listed individuals, saying those who would do so would be risking a fine of up to Sh500,000 or jail terms of up to six months.

On Tuesday, Kenya Private Schools Association chief executive officer Peter Ndoro said his group would ensure that the teachers do not find their way into private schools.

“We are working closely with TSC, which registers teachers in public and private schools, to keep away teachers who have been dismissed for professional misconduct,” said Mr Ndoro.

According to the TSC Act, a teacher whose name has been removed from the register shall cease to be one. The TSC has also established a database of de-registered teachers to prevent their re-entry into the profession.

The Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers said it would not defend any teacher who sexually abuses students.