TSC deregisters 69 teachers over sexual abuse and misconduct

At least 69 teachers have been permanently deregistered by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for abusing learners, following investigations into more than 100 misconduct cases reported since January 2024.

The Commission said the measures are aimed at protecting students, and all were subjected to a fair legal process backed by evidence before disciplinary action was taken.

Appearing before the Senate Education Committee in Mombasa, TSC Director of Legal, Labour and Industrial Relations Cavin Anyuor said the commission had received 111 cases, ranging from sexual relations with learners to molestation, pornography, and other inappropriate conduct.

“Of the 111 cases, 69 teachers were dismissed and deregistered, meaning they can never teach anywhere in the world. Their teaching licences have been permanently revoked,” Anyuor said.

He added that nine teachers were dismissed but not deregistered, 25 were suspended and may be reinstated after serving their suspension, while one intern was removed from the register.

“Not all are guilty; at least four were cleared and walked scot-free. We attempt to be fair but remain firm on learner abuse,” Anyuor said, noting that four teachers were acquitted after evidence cleared them, while three cases were dropped after the implicated teachers died before hearings.

To strengthen accountability, Anyuor said the Commission has enhanced reporting channels, including a toll-free hotline and email for anonymous complaints. TSC has also implemented an Integrity Policy to protect whistleblowers. Circular No. 3 of 2010 requires that all incidents be reported within 24 hours.

Over the past five years, 470 teachers have been struck off its register, with 90 per cent (419) being male, compared to just five female teachers. The remaining 46 were not classified by gender. In the most recent deregistration list, 32 of the 33 teachers removed were male, highlighting a persistent pattern of predatory conduct in schools.

Section 30 of the Teachers Service Commission Act, 2012, empowers the Commission to publish the names, registration numbers, and dates of removal of deregistered teachers to ensure the public is aware of individuals barred from teaching in any learning institution.

The TSC deregisters teachers on various grounds, including immoral conduct, criminal convictions, fraud, and professional misconduct.

However, sexual abuse of learners, often referred to as carnal knowledge, particularly by male teachers, has increasingly become a leading cause. This trend gained national attention following the Alliance Girls High School saga, where a male teacher was recently accused of grooming and sexually abusing students over an extended period.

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