Teachers Service Commission (TSC) is the institution mandated by the constitution and laws of Kenya to register, discipline, promote, demote and deregister teachers. As we will see below, there are various circumstances in which TSC may remove a person from the register of teachers. Check Your TSC Registration Status Here
Teacher Registration Categories
TSC has created several categories under which it registers teachers. These categories are:
1. Early Child Development Education-ECDE
2. Primary Teacher Education-PTE
3. Diploma in Education
4. Diploma in Education for Visually and hearing impaired
5. Bachelor of Education
6. Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science
For one to be registered in any of the categories, they must have the minimum qualifications as outlined in this article.
Teacher Registration Process
For one to be registered you must have met the minimum qualifications. The registration process is done whole online by visiting the TSC online portal https://teachersonline.tsc.go.ke/
After you have filled in the form and submitted the required documents, you will have to wait for 30 days to get the response.
When your application has been accepted by TSC, you will be issued with a registration certificate bearing your TSC number. The physical certificate will be mailed through the address that you provided during registration.
TSC Temporary Teacher Registration
One can be issued with a temporary registration certificate if:
1. Is in Kenya on recognized education exchange programmes or other
international bilateral arrangements or
2. Not having trained as a teacher but holds a relevant certificate issued to him/her under any law relating to education and training.
This is guided by the TSC Code of Regulations (2015), Regulation 27.
Can Teacher Registration Be Declined?
Section 27 of TSC Act 2012 mandates the Commission not register a person as a teacher who;
- Does not possess the prescribed qualifications,
- Is not of good moral character,
- Has been convicted of a sexual offence or an offence committed against a learner,
- Has been convicted of a criminal offence which in the opinion of the Commission, renders the person unfit to be teacher,
- Is engaged in any activities which in the opinion of the Commission, are prejudicial to peace, good order or good government in Kenya,
- Suffers from such physical or mental infirmity which in the opinion of a registered medical practitioner renders the person incapable of performing the duties of a teacher.
Can TSC Registration Be Revoked?
TSC is mandated by the TSC Code of Regulations for Teachers (2015), regulation 30 to, after a due process, revoke and recall a Certificate of Registration that:
- Was obtained through fraud
- Was obtained through misrepresentation of facts
- Was obtained through forgery
- Was issued as a result of mistake
- Was issues through unlawful means.
Offenses Pertaining To Teacher Registration
The TSC Code of Regulations 2015, Regulation 39 spells out that any person who;
(a) procures or attempts to procure the entry of any name on the Register by willfully making or producing or causing to be made or produced, either orally or in writing, any declaration, certificate or representation which he knows to be false or fraudulent;
(b) falsely or fraudulently holds himself out to be a registered teacher;
(c) not being a registered teacher, or a person exempted under any written law, teaches or assists in teaching in any school;
(d) willfully aids, perpetuates or in any way assists another person to obtain registration by false pretense;
(e) causes, permits or employs to teach in any school a person not being a registered teacher or a person exempted by any written law;
(f) applies for employment as a teacher in any name other than the full name as entered in the Register; or
(g) commits any other act or omission relating to registration which constitutes an illegal act under the Act or any other
written law;
Such a person commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months, or both.
Section 40 also provides offences as outlined below. Any person;
(a) who defaces, amends or erases any entry in the Certificate of Registration:
(b) who defaces, amends, alters, erases or in any way interferes with an entry in the Register of Teachers;
(c) whose name has been removed from the Register in accordance with the provisions of the Act and has not subsequently been readmitted in the Register but continues to teach;
(d) who having been removed from the Register continues to hold and use the Certificate of Registration for teaching or any other purpose;
(e) not being the person whose full name, address and registration number appears in a Certificate of Registration, uses such certificate for any purpose; or
(f) performs any other act relating to Certificate of Registration or the Register of teachers which constitutes an illegal act under the Act or any other written law;
Such a person Commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or both.
Removal From TSC Register
Under Regulation 30 of the TSC Act (2012), TSC is mandated to remove the name of a person from the register of teachers any person who;
- Has died,
- The Commission is satisfied has obtained registration through fraudulent means,
- Has been convicted of a sexual offence or an offence against a pupil or a student,
- Has been convicted of a criminal offence which in the opinion of the Commission renders the person unfit to be a teacher,
- The Commission has directed removal from the register as a result of disciplinary proceedings instituted or
- Suffers from physical or mental illness or infirmity which renders the person incapable of performing the duties as a teacher.
Conclusion
You can get more information on the TSC guideline here. Keep your registration in good standing to ensure you continue passing the knowledge to the younger generation. Check more information on the TSC online portal.
