The Teachers Service Commission, abbreviated as TSC, is a constitutional Commission in Kenya that has been mandated with the recruitment, registration, and management of tutors. The Commission is headed by a Chairperson and nine commissioners; these persons play a critical role in overseeing the operations of the TSC.
The roles and functions of the commissioners of the TSC are outlined as follows:
List of TSC Commissioners in Kenya
The current composition of the TSC has a commission team appointed by the President of the Republic of Kenya. Commissioners serve part-time, and their appointments are approved by the National Assembly.
The composition usually includes:
- Chairperson: Ensures that the TSC functions properly.
- Vice-Chairperson: Assists the Chairperson in performing his duties.
- Other Commissioners: There are usually seven other members who take care of the functions like recruitment, policy formulation, and oversight.
- (Current commissioners’ names can be found on the website of the TSC or through government gazettes because the list may differ from time to time.)
Functions of TSC Commissioners in Kenya
TSC commissioners take care of several key functions and responsibilities including, among others,
Policy Formulation and Oversight
Commissioners advise the TSC on formulating policies about the recruitment, registration, discipline, and development of teachers in Kenya. They help ensure that the activities of the Commission meet national education objectives and conform to legal frameworks. Teacher Recruitment and Deployment
The commissioner oversees the recruitment process of teachers to ensure that it is open, transparent, and based on national needs.
They are also tasked with the approval of postings of teachers in and out of hard-to-reach areas within the country to ensure an even distribution of teaching personnel.
Approval of Teachers’ Codes and Regulations
The commissioners study and approve regulations that govern teachers’ professional conduct such as the Code of Conduct for teachers in Kenya.
They ensure that teachers adhere to ethical standards in their professional practices.
Teacher Performance Management
They play a role in setting standards of performance for teachers and also professional development for them.
CPD policies and programs are designed and implemented by commissioners to be undertaken by school teachers for better performance of educational institutions.
Teacher Salaries and Benefits
The salary scale and other benefits of employment for the teachers is partly determined by the commissioners.
Salary and welfare issues negotiations are advised to the government by the commissioners.
Disciplinary Control
They give hearings against teachers for failure to comply with set codes of conduct or whenever a case of professional misconduct is lodged against them.
They rule on the suspension, withdrawal, or other disciplinary measures concerning a teacher who has been proved to have indulged in professional misconduct.
Registration of Teachers
The commissioners ensure that teachers are registered to ascertain that they have the minimum qualifications that would certify them as professional teachers in Kenya.
They ensure that teachers are registered according to the set standards by the TSC.
Advisory Role
The commissioners of the TSC advise the government on all issues relating to the teaching profession.
They give their expertise and make recommendations on the structure of education, teacher training programs, and improvements in the sector. Monitoring and Evaluation
The Commissioners monitor and evaluate the efficiency of different programs and policies of the TSC, ensuring that goals are achieved and that there is improvement in the standard of education within Kenya.
Collaboration with Other Stakeholders
Commissioners work together with other government agencies, educational bodies, unions, and other stakeholders within the education sector to ensure teaching standards are complied with, and the needs of the teachers are catered to.