Picture this: You’re a teacher in a public school in Nakuru. The salary hits, but by mid-month, the hustle is real. Bills are piling up, school fees is calling, and the cost of living in Kenya is no joke. The thought crosses your mind – can a TSC teacher be employed by two schools at the same time to make ends meet?
Before you start sending out CVs, you need the full story. This article breaks down the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) rules, the real risks involved, and the smart, legal alternatives available to you right now.
The Straight Answer from TSC
Let’s not beat around the bush. The official answer is a clear NO. According to the TSC Code of Regulations for Teachers, you cannot hold two permanent and pensionable teaching jobs simultaneously. Your letter of appointment ties you to one specific TSC-registered institution as your primary employer.
Why is this the rule? The Commission argues that teaching is a full-time profession demanding total commitment. Splitting your focus between two schools would likely compromise the quality of education, your lesson preparation, and your availability for co-curricular activities and staff meetings at both places.
What Does “Dual Employment” Really Mean?
Dual employment isn’t just about two permanent posts. TSC also looks at situations that create a conflict of interest or divide your professional loyalty. This includes:
- Working a full-time public school job while also taking a full-time role in a private school.
- Being employed by TSC and simultaneously running a private tuition center that operates during official school hours.
- Any arrangement where your second job interferes with your duties at your TSC-stationed school.
The Real Risks of Trying to Juggle Two Jobs
If you’re thinking, “Maybe I can manage it quietly,” know the consequences. Getting caught isn’t just a warning; it’s career suicide.
The TSC can take severe disciplinary action. This starts with a summons to a disciplinary hearing. If found guilty of gross misconduct (which dual employment is considered), penalties range from a heavy fine to interdiction, and ultimately, dismissal from service. A dismissal from TSC is a black mark that makes it nearly impossible to be employed in any government-related education role again.
Beyond TSC: The Personal Burnout
Even if you miraculously avoid TSC’s radar, think about your own well-being. The Kenyan school calendar is packed. Between lessons, marking, trips, parents’ meetings, and sports days, a single job is draining. Adding a second one means you’ll be constantly on the move – maybe from a school in Thika to one in Juja – leading to exhaustion. Your health, family life, and teaching performance in both schools will suffer.
Smart, Legal Alternatives for Extra Income
So, does this mean you’re stuck? Not at all. The key is to find income streams that don’t breach your contract. Here are practical, TSC-friendly ways to supplement your income.
- Private Tuition (After Hours/Weekends): This is the classic side hustle. Offer tuition for KCSE or KCPE candidates during holidays or on weekends. Just ensure it doesn’t use your primary school’s facilities without permission.
- Online Teaching and Content Creation: Use your expertise! Create revision booklets, YouTube lesson videos, or sell lesson plans on Kenyan educator platforms. The digital space doesn’t conflict with your school hours.
- Non-Teaching Business Ventures: Invest in a small agribusiness project back in the village, a mitumba boutique, or a mobile money shop. A venture completely outside the education sector poses no conflict of interest.
The Kenyan Context: TSC, Permits, and the Hustle
Understanding this rule means understanding how TSC operates within Kenya’s public sector. TSC isn’t just any employer; it’s a constitutional commission. Your PIN, your NHIF, and your NSSF contributions are all tied to that one employment record. Trying to register a second one raises immediate red flags in government systems.
Think about the logistics practically. How would you manage the schedule? School starts at 8 am across the country. You can’t be in a classroom in Embakasi and another in Kikuyu at the same time. The long rains season would turn your commute between two distant schools into a nightmare of traffic and flooded roads, making you perpetually late.
Furthermore, your Head Teacher has a duty to report any teacher whose outside activities are affecting school performance. In a close-knit staff room, secrets are hard to keep. The risk to your stable, pensionable job is simply too high for the potential short-term gain.
What If You’re on a Board of Management (BOM) Contract?
Here’s a crucial distinction. Some teachers are employed directly by a school’s Board of Management (BOM), not TSC. Their contracts are different. A BOM teacher might legally take a second BOM job elsewhere, as they aren’t governed by TSC’s specific code for permanent employees.
However, they must scrutinize their individual BOM contract for any exclusivity clauses. The moment a BOM teacher is absorbed into the TSC permanent scheme, these rules apply immediately.
Your Action Plan: Staying Safe and Secure
Your TSC job is a coveted position with long-term benefits like a pension. Protect it. If you are desperate for extra income, always choose the path with zero conflict.
- Read Your TSC Code of Conduct: Get a copy. Section 4 on the Conduct of Teachers clearly addresses employment and conflict of interest.
- Seek Official Clarification: If in doubt, write a formal inquiry to TSC through your County Director of Education. Don’t rely on staffroom rumours.
- Explore Approved Leave Options: For a long-term alternative engagement, you could apply for unpaid leave. This is a formal process and would suspend your TSC duties and pay temporarily.
Final Verdict on Dual Employment for Teachers
The dream of doubling your salary by working in two schools under TSC is just that – a dream with a harsh wake-up call. The regulations are explicitly against it to maintain standards and protect your focus as a teacher. The potential consequence of losing your permanent and pensionable job far outweighs the temporary financial relief.
Your energy is better spent innovating within the allowed boundaries. Build a sustainable side business, monetize your skills online, or offer private tuition during approved times. That way, you secure your future while responsibly managing the present hustle. Share this article with a colleague who might be considering the same risky move – it might just save their career.
