TSC teacher discipline cases, causes and how the disciplinary cases are solved
TSC teacher discipline cases, causes and how the disciplinary cases are solved.We Teachers Service Commission (TSC) employees are held to a higher standard of behavior as role models and advocates for sanity in society.
To give the greatest possible service that our employer expects from us, we should avoid doing any actions that would be contrary to expectations.
The union’s primary responsibility is to watch over a teacher’s wellbeing, which includes making sure that they don’t encounter unpleasant situations as a result of misbehavior.
In order to increase its effectiveness, it is wise for the union of today to take a proactive and instructive approach to disciplinary concerns.
The general rules and provisions of the Code of Regulations for Teachers, or CORT, should be well understood by teachers.
Teachers who transgress the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics and the Code of Regulations for Teachers shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may include warning or interdiction.
WHEN CAN TSC TAKE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST A TEACHER
The Commission may take disciplinary action against a teacher who commits any of the following offences: Immoral behaviour, including but not restricted to:
- Sexual intercourse
- Sodomy
- Lesbianism and
- Sexual harassment
- Professional misconduct including but not restricted to:
- Negligence of duty (failure to do the duties as assigned, including not able to meet the set deadline)
- Lateness to duty
- Chronic absenteeism
- Desertion (being absent from duty for 14 days without permission)
- Incitement
- Insubordination
- Infamous conduct including but not restricted to:
°Drunkeness
°Fighting
°Conduct or behaviour which in the opinion of the Commission contradicts the spirit and tenor of Chapter six of the Constitution
- Forgery/ presentation of forged documents, Mismanagement, misappropriation and embezzlement of public funds, Any other act of conduct that is incompatible with the teaching profession
The TSC Displinary Process
The institution’s head may at first give the teacher a verbal warning or a written warning for minor violations.
The teacher might be asked to give justification for why disciplinary action shouldn’t be taken against them in the event of chronic misbehaving. (Call a union leader right away for assistance in drafting a response, which must be submitted within two weeks (14 days). Please submit your response by the deadline to prevent the principal from revising the allegations.
Depending on the teacher’s answer, the institution’s head of school may issue a warning or bring the matter up in front of the agent.
The agent shall;
✓Investigate and assemble relevant evidence.
✓Invite the accused teacher in writing to defend himself/herself against specified allegation (a two weeks’ notice must be given. Inform the union to send a representative to be part of the panel).
✓Call witnesses to give evidence in the presence of the accused teacher.
✓Allow the teacher to cross-examine each witness. (most witnesses are always coached ,play with their minds to establish if they had a meeting with the accuser before the hearing date)
In case of desertion where teacher’s whereabouts is unknown, the agent will interdict without any delay.
After the preliminary hearing the agent may reach any of the following decisions;
✓No case to answer.
✓Warn the teacher administratively.
✓Interdict the teacher.
NB: In some cases TSC or agent can interdict a teacher without inviting him/her for preliminary hearing.
An interdicted teacher should write a defense statement within 21 days from the date of interdiction and provide contact address ( consult the union in the process). Normally a case will be heard within three months after interdiction.
In case of delay the teacher is advised to make inquiries.
Teachers interdicted on cases of incitement, insubordination, infamous conduct and negligence of duty will be paid half salary during the period of interdiction
TSC Disciplinary Process: Determination
After interdiction and submission of the required evidence the teacher shall be given a chance to defend himself/herself in person before the Commission. A case shall be heard and determined in the absence of the teacher if he/she fails to appear during the hearing.
From the evidence gathered, the Commission may;
✓Revoke the interdiction.
✓Warn the teacher.
✓Suspend the teacher from duty.
✓Dismiss the teacher from service.
✓Retire the teacher in the public interest.
✓Dismiss and remove from the register of teachers.
When a teacher is under interdiction, suspension, or has been removed from the teacher registry, it is illegal for them to teach in any institutions, public or private.
A teacher who has been placed on administrative leave will be posted 14 days before the suspension ends.
In cases of revocation and warning, a teacher will be posted right away. A teacher should personally inquire at the Commission Headquarters if they haven’t heard anything within 28 days of their hearing.