Schools warned against hiring sacked teachers

Private schools that hire teachers who have been dismissed for indiscipline, or those not registered with the Teachers Service Commission, will be deregistered.

Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, while responding to a request by TSC chief executive Nancy Macharia, said this would be done in the interest of learners in secondary and primary schools.

“On this one, we will act without mercy. We cannot compromise the future of our children; we will pursue these cases,” CS Matiang’i warned.

He spoke as he released this year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination results at Nairobi School.

MISCONDUCT
The TSC has banned more than 41 teachers for misconduct.

They will not be allowed to teach in any school in Kenya, whether private or public.

Most of the teachers allegedly had sexual relations with students while others were accused of desertion, insubordination, negligence, exam cheating and embezzlement of funds.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Macharia said some private schools were employing sacked tutors.

EXAM MALPRACTICE
This year, 40 teachers and principals were involved in various exam irregularities.

If found culpable, according to Dr Macharia, those affected will be dismissed and deregistered.

She said that private schools are subject to the laws governing the education sector.

“The Kenya National Examination Council has prepared a report on these offenders and the commission will take stern action against them.

"As you may have noted, TSC has been gazetting, as per the law, teachers found guilty of various offences, including exam malpractices.

"We shall not hesitate to take similar steps against those found culpable,” she said.

PROSECUTION
Dr Matiang'i noted that a slow prosecution process was drawing back efforts to curb cheating in examinations.

For instance, not all 700 cases of cheating in 2015 have been prosecuted.

Therefore, a multiagency team has been formed to fast-track their prosecution.

“It is good the President has directed the Attorney-General to ensure that all those cases are handled; we will submit a report from 2015, 2016 and this year in January. They will be dealt with before the next examination cycle,” Dr Matiang’i said.

But the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) has vowed to move to court to challenge disciplinary measures against the 40 teachers.

FAIR TRIAL
Kuppet national vice-chairman Julius Korir said TSC should stop condemning the suspected teachers without giving them a hearing.

“She (Dr Macharia) made a roadside declaration. The suspected teachers must be accorded a fair hearing before punishing them. Failure to follow due diligence means we will move to court,” Mr Korir said.

The official was, however, categorical that the union was not defending or condoning exam cheating.

He urged the government to enhance measures against leakage.

KUPPET
Kuppet Laikipia County executive secretary Ndung’u Wangenye called on the teachers’ employer to conduct thorough investigations into the recorded cases of cheating instead of reacting to suspicions.

“The claims must be ascertained and proved beyond reasonable doubt.

"As Kuppet, we demand 100 per cent accountability because we will not sit back and watch as TSC takes severe steps on the teachers,” Mr Wangenye said.

CHANGE

He further said the union would demand transparency in the disciplinary process.

“We are not condoning misconduct but we are demanding fairness and opportunity to be heard before determination.”

The TSC also announced that, as part of efforts to bolster national cohesion and professionalism in teaching, it has completed reorganising the leadership of some schools.

Additional report by Joseph Wangui