School Reopening: TSC Outlines Punishment For Late Reporting

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has outlined punitive measures for teachers who fail to report to schools before the Monday, September 28, deadline set by the Ministry of Education.Quoting a circular from the week that begun on Monday, September 21, People Daily indicated that the teachers would face dire consequences if they missed the deadline.Sub-County Directors of Education (SDEs) warned tutors that missing today’s deadline amounted to absconding work which is a punishable offence.“Teachers will not be allowed to ask for a day off, they must all report today and on subsequent days for the tasks directed by the Ministry of Education to run smoothly,” read a memo in part. Teachers Service Commission CEO Nancy Macharia addresses the media in January 2020 in NairobiFile According to previous wrangles, teachers were threatened with removal from payrolls for absconding duties through various means such as strikes and demonstrations.The teachers had been directed to report back to their respective institutions to adequately prepare for schools reopening as Covid-19 cases ease.Teachers Service Commission (TSC) Secretary Dr Nancy Macharia had asked the SDEs, Regional Directors and TSC County Directors to coordinate the preparations exercise after the tutors return.“All teachers are directed to take part in development of innovative strategies designed to offer psychological support to learners, parents and stakeholders,” stated Macharia.Regarding official school reopening dates for students, Magoha clarified that despite the stakeholders’ taskforce recommending that schools reopen from Monday, October 19, a definitive date had not been agreed on yet. President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to issue a final reporting date as well as the school calendar after chairing a national Covid-19 conference.“The conference is expected to chart a responsible path forward for Kenya as our nation establishes the new normal of adaptation to living with Covid-19 and outline a strategy for building and sustaining momentum with regard to recovery and resilience in a manner ensures Kenya bounces back better and stronger,” stated Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua.According to a research by World Health Organisation (WHO), only a quarter of schools in Sub-Saharan Africa have achieved basic hygiene services. Only 44% have clean drinking water. File: A military officer pictured teaching students in North Eastern KenyaFile