Ever wondered why your child’s teacher can’t just open a private tuition centre in their house? Or why a teacher can’t join that political rally during school hours? It’s all in the book—the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Code of Conduct and Ethics. For every teacher from Nairobi to Mandera, this isn’t just a guideline; it’s the professional bible.
This article breaks down the TSC Code of Conduct in plain language. We’ll cover what teachers in Kenya are allowed to do, the big no-nos that can cost you your job, and the real-life implications in our Kenyan context. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or just curious, this is your direct guide to the rules of the game.
What is the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics?
The TSC Code of Conduct is the official rulebook for all registered teachers in Kenya. Think of it like the NTSA rules for drivers, but for the teaching profession. It’s issued by the Teachers Service Commission, the body that employs and manages all public school teachers.
Its main job is to set standards for professional behaviour, integrity, and discipline. The code ensures teachers act in a way that earns public trust and puts the learner’s welfare first. Ignoring it isn’t an option—breaches can lead to disciplinary action, including dismissal and deregistration.
What Teachers ARE Allowed to Do (Your Rights & Freedoms)
The code isn’t just about restrictions. It also protects teachers and outlines their professional freedoms within clear boundaries.
1. Engage in Academic & Professional Development
Teachers are encouraged to further their studies and attend workshops. Want to pursue that Master’s degree at the University of Nairobi or a short course at Kenyatta University? Go for it. The profession values continuous learning to improve teaching quality.
You can also join professional associations like the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) or KUPPET. These unions advocate for your welfare and rights, as long as activities are within the law.
2. Participate in Community Service
Being a pillar in your community is allowed and encouraged. You can participate in harambees, church activities, or local development projects in your area. This builds trust and shows you’re invested beyond the classroom walls.
However, the code expects you to maintain the dignity of the profession while doing so. Don’t use your position to unduly influence or solicit funds from parents for personal gain.
3. Own & Manage Private Businesses (With Caveats)
Yes, a teacher can run a side hustle. Many teachers run agribusiness ventures, retail shops, or online businesses, especially to supplement income during the long school holidays.
The critical rule is this: the business must not conflict with your teaching duties. It shouldn’t be conducted during official working hours, use school resources, or bring the profession into disrepute. Selling textbooks to your own students, for example, is a major conflict of interest.
The Big No-Nos: What Teachers Are NOT Allowed to Do
This is where many teachers, especially new ones, get into trouble. The prohibitions in the TSC Code of Conduct are strict for good reason.
1. No Corporal Punishment or Abuse
This is a zero-tolerance area. The cane is gone. The TSC Code of Conduct, alongside the Children’s Act, completely bans corporal punishment, physical violence, sexual abuse, or emotional bullying of learners.
Discipline must be administered through alternative, non-violent means. Any form of abuse is a direct ticket to a disciplinary hearing and likely dismissal. Parents in places like Kibera or Eastleigh are now more aware and will report such incidents swiftly.
2. No Private Tuition for Your Own Students (For Pay)
This is a huge one. You cannot offer paid private tuition to learners from the school where you are employed. Why? It creates a conflict of interest and can lead to “coercion,” where a teacher might neglect students in class to push them towards paid lessons.
You can tutor students from other schools, or offer free remedial classes to your own students. But exchanging money for extra lessons with your current pupils is a clear breach.
3. No Intimate Relationships with Students
Absolutely forbidden. The code prohibits any sexual or romantic relationship with a learner, regardless of the learner’s age or perceived consent. This is a grave professional misconduct.
The power dynamic makes such relationships exploitative. This rule protects vulnerable students and maintains professional boundaries. It applies even to students in upper forms of secondary school.
4. No Professional Misconduct
This covers a range of actions that tarnish the profession’s image:
- Chronic Absenteeism & Lateness: Habitually missing school or reporting late, especially without a valid reason.
- Neglect of Duty: Failing to prepare lessons, mark assignments, or cover the syllabus.
- Drunkenness: Reporting to work under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Exam Malpractice: Assisting students to cheat in national exams like KCSE or KCPE.
- Misuse of Funds: Embezzling school development funds or lunch money.
Strikes, Politics, and Social Media: The Grey Areas
These are hot-button issues in Kenya. The TSC Code of Conduct has specific stances.
On Strikes and Industrial Action
Teachers have a constitutional right to strike. However, the code requires that all peaceful dispute resolution mechanisms be exhausted first, as per the Labour Relations Act.
During a legal strike called by a registered union (KNUT/KUPPET), you are protected. But engaging in violent protests, inciting others to violence, or abandoning learners without notice is misconduct.
On Political Involvement
As a citizen, you have political rights. But as a teacher, you must be neutral during official duties. You cannot use your position to campaign for a specific candidate or party within the school.
You can attend political rallies, but not during school hours or in school uniform. Avoid making partisan political statements that could divide the school community along tribal or political lines.
On Social Media Use
Your online life reflects on the profession. The TSC Code of Conduct expects you to use social media responsibly.
- Do NOT post inappropriate content (lewd photos, hate speech, tribal slur).
- Do NOT bully, harass, or engage in arguments with learners/parents online.
- Do NOT share confidential school or learner information on platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook.
Think before you post. A screenshot can become evidence in a disciplinary case at the TSC headquarters on Upper Hill.
The Kenyan Context: Real-Life Implications for Teachers
Understanding the TSC Code of Conduct isn’t just about the text; it’s about how it plays out in our unique Kenyan setting. Here’s what you need to know on the ground.
Disciplinary Process & Real Costs
When a complaint is filed—say, by a parent in Nakuru—the process starts at the school level, then moves to the TSC County Director. If serious, it goes to the Commission in Nairobi. During this, you might be interdicted (suspended).
This is where it hits hard. An interdicted teacher goes without salary. In a country where a teacher’s pay supports an extended family, surviving on no income for months during a hearing is a severe strain. Hiring a lawyer for the hearing can easily cost from KES 50,000 upwards, a huge financial burden.
Cultural Sensitivities & Harassment
In many communities, especially in rural areas, a teacher is highly respected. This respect can sometimes blur boundaries. A parent might offer a gift (shamba produce, a chicken) as genuine appreciation. The code advises caution.
Accepting a small token of gratitude may be okay, but accepting large gifts or cash that could be seen as a bribe for favours (like promoting a child) is prohibited. Learn to decline gracefully to avoid the perception of impropriety.
The Private Tuition Pressure in Urban Areas
In cities like Nairobi and Mombasa, the pressure for academic performance is intense. The demand for private tuition is high, with some tutors charging KES 500 to KES 2,000 per hour per student. The temptation for a teacher to covertly tutor their own students for such fees is real.
Practical Local Tip: If you must tutor, be transparent with your headteacher. Tutor students from a completely different school or zone. Better yet, register a small consultancy and offer holiday revision courses for mixed groups from various schools, ensuring your main school’s students are not involved.
Transport & Lateness During Rains
Kenya’s climate directly impacts this rule. During the long rains (March-May), traffic in Nairobi becomes a nightmare, and roads in towns like Kisumu flood. While the code demands punctuality, a good headteacher understands genuine delays caused by weather.
The key is communication. If your matatu is stuck in a Thika Road jam or your boda boda can’t navigate flooded paths, inform the school immediately. Habitual lateness with no explanation, rain or shine, is what leads to trouble.
What Happens If You Break the Code?
The TSC doesn’t just issue warnings. The disciplinary process is structured and can have severe consequences.
- Interdiction/Suspension: You are sent home on half-salary or no salary as investigations proceed.
- Hearing: You present your case before a committee. You can have a lawyer or a union official.
- Verdict & Penalty: If found guilty, penalties range from a warning, salary freeze, demotion, to the ultimate: dismissal and deregistration.
Deregistration means you are struck off the TSC register. You can no longer teach in any public or private school in Kenya. It’s a career-ender.
How to Stay on the Right Side of the TSC Code of Conduct
Staying compliant is straightforward if you’re intentional. First, get a copy of the code. You can download it from the TSC website or get a soft copy from your school’s admin.
Second, let professionalism guide every interaction. Ask yourself: “Does this action put the learner’s interest first?” and “Could this damage the reputation of my school or the teaching profession?” If you’re unsure about an action, consult your senior teacher, headteacher, or union representative.
Finally, document everything. Keep records of meetings, parent communications, and any incidents. In a dispute, your records are your best defence.
The TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics exists to protect students, maintain public trust, and uplift the teaching profession. It’s not about micromanaging teachers but about setting a clear standard for the crucial work you do. By understanding and adhering to these rules—from the rules on strikes to the nuances of social media use—you safeguard your career and contribute to a better learning environment.
Know the code, teach with confidence, and protect your livelihood. Got questions or experiences with the TSC code? Share your thoughts in the comments below. For more on advancing your teaching career in Kenya, check out our article on TSC promotion guidelines.
