The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) on Monday tabled new regulations that will weed out teachers convicted of sexual offences or any criminal activities.
According to the new rules penned in the revised teachers' code of conduct and ethics, tutors found guilty of sexual offences will be completely banned from practising.
“Any teacher employed by TSC and is implicated in sexual abuse of learners will be de-registered and barred from working as a teacher both in public and private schools, while administrators who recruit such people will be prosecuted,” the proposal reads in part.
Speaking in Mombasa where the new document was launched, TSC Chief Executive Lydia Nzomo said that the code of conduct would bring professionalism back to the education sector.
The new regulations come barely a week after a primary school teacher was sentenced to 90 years in prison for sexually assaulting nine boys of Muthiria Primary School between January-May 2015.
The boys aged between 13-16 testified against the teacher and revealed that after night preps, Mugi used to caress their private parts as he kissed them.
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The TSC regulations also seek to carry out a wealth audit on teachers upon retirement.
Tutors intending to participate in political activities, either by being an agent of a political party or as a contestant, have also been restricted in the proposed code.
The regulations also propose punishment for untidy teachers and those who show dishonesty in their work.
"And in particular, (a teacher) will maintain a neat and decent standard of dressing which befits the dignity and image of the teaching service," reads part of the new rules.
However, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) officials rejected the proposal stating that it was an infringement on their constitutional rights.
KNUT National Executive Council member Dan Aloo stated that: "Why audit us, why audit our salaries? We are not thieves. We have declared our wealth everywhere in the P9 forms and many more documents. This is infringing on our constitutional rights and we cannot accept it at all".
On the political issue, Mr Aloo highlighted that: "If any teacher wants to vie for a political seat, let them go ahead because the Constitution allows us. No one has the right to stop us".
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