The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has moved all the teachers’ leave applications online in a bid to improve service delivery to its employees and stakeholders.
According to TSC Chief Dr. Nancy Macharia, moving forward, all teachers including those in an internship will be required to apply for their leaves using the online platform.
“The commission has successfully automated the leave application and approval process and moved the same to an online system. There will be no manual application for all types of leaves”, said Dr. Nancy Macharia.
The move which became effective on December 1st, 2021 includes Sick leave, Annual leave, Compassionate leave, Paternity leave, and Maternity leave, Special leave, and Adoption leave.
The commission further stated that the annual leave shall only be taken during school holidays and cannot be carried forward from year to year.
Furthermore, a sick teacher who is unable to attend to his/her duties assigned by the commission is required to apply a sick leave to the commission according to the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT) 2015.
Sick leave may be granted for a maximum period of three months with full pay. However, a teacher will be on half pay if the sickness extends beyond the third month and without pay if the sickness extends beyond six months.
The code also states that a teacher employed by the TSC is entitled to a maximum of thirty days Annual leave with full pay irrespective of the terms and conditions of service.
Teachers who serve on contract for a period exceeding one year will be granted sick leave for a maximum period of one month with full pay. If the sickness extends beyond the first month they will be on half-pay and be without pay if the sickness extends beyond two months.
Meanwhile, Compassionate leave of up to 15 days may be granted to a teacher on compassionate grounds at the discussion at the discretion of the sub-county director or head of the institution.
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Special leave on the other hand may be given to a teacher who has been appointed to attend a meeting, conference workshop study tour, or seminar for a duration not exceeding three months.
According to the commission, special leave with full pay for sportspersons may be granted by the commission to a teacher who is selected to represent Kenya in national regional or international events for the necessary period of training and subsequent participation in the sport.
TSC stated that leave of absence without pay may be granted to a teacher whom the commission considers has proven case of exceptional hardship.
Unpaid leave may also be granted to a teacher whose spouse is on diplomatic service during the period the spouse is on the assignment of duty outside Kenya. The teacher is required to apply to the commission for posting one month before the end of the assignment of duty.
TSC CEO may in person send a teacher on Compulsory leave with full pay to give room for investigations into allegations against the teacher. this shall be for a period not exceeding 30 days.