The Teachers Service Commission has developed a Code of Conduct and Ethics for its secretariat which has serious implications for the professional life of staff working at the Commission.
The Code of Conduct and Ethics tool was forwarded to all TSC Regional officers for forwarding to staff within their jurisdictions. TSC employees were directed to compile and submit their feedback on the document before the 23rd of May 2022 before it is rolled out.
The Code mirrors the Teachers’ Code of Conduct and regulations which were implemented over the years and will apply to TSC Secretariat Staff and TSC headquarters and those serving in the counties.
The Code will bar officers from placing themselves in a position in which their personal interests will conflict with their duties and are now required to submit an initial declaration of income, assets and liabilities within 30 days after being employed and make a final declaration within thirty days once they leave employment.
The Code of Conduct and Ethics for Secretariat Staff (2018) also requires staff to make bi-annual wealth declarations during their employment period.
According to the document, TSC employees are not allowed to participate in any tendering process where their personal interests conflict with their duties and are required to refrain from awarding tenders to themselves, spouses, relatives, business associates or being involved in the rigging of bids.
This means that TSC staff will have to disqualify themselves from any matter which compromises their impartiality.
For instance, when an officer has a personal bias, prejudice or interest over the subject matter, their family or a close connection has a financial or any other interest that could affect the outcome of the matter in issue; or their spouses or a person related to either of them or the spouses of such a person or a friend or a business associate.
TSC staff will also be required to ensure their private and public conduct upholds the dignity and integrity of a public office by maintaining professionalism and carrying out their duties with integrity.
The officers will be required to ensure the protection of children including those with special needs from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices and all forms of violence, discrimination, inhuman treatment, corporal punishment and exposure to hazardous or exploitative labour.
Personal rights and freedoms of all persons as guaranteed in Chapter Four of the Country’s constitutions and avoid discrimination that is either direct or indirect in nature against any person on any ground including race, pregnancy, sex, marital and health status, social or ethnic origin, colour, age, disability, religion, conscience, belief, culture, dress, language or birth.
TSC staff are also required to maintain patience, dignity and courtesy to all stakeholders with whom the officer deals with in an official capacity, and to observe prompt, lawful, efficient, reasonable, lawful and procedural fairness while going about their duties.
The Commission’s staff will also be required to be honest and impartial in the execution of their duties, not to engage in abuse of office, observe accuracy and be honest in their representation of information to the public, avoid engaging in wrongful conduct in furtherance of personal benefit, prudent management of public resources, and maintaining of proper official records.
TSC Staff is also required to treat fellow employees and the public with dignity, courtesy and respect by avoiding behaviour that is abusive, belittling or threatening to fellow employees or any member of the public and not bullying or perpetrating offensive behaviour that is malicious or humiliating and is intended to undermine a fellow employee or a member of the public; ensuring their working stations are free of pornography and related materials.