The Teaching Service Commission has demoted and transferred three headteachers after supervisory visits by the Education Ministry found a range of deficiencies that were not rectified.
According to the Commission, disciplinary charges were laid after officers from the ministry pointed out faults found at the schools, provided the necessary advice to correct them, yet no adjustments were made. The headteachers were then found guilty of neglect of duty, inefficiency and misconduct and penalised.
“A lack of improvement/change in the unsatisfactory state of affairs led to charges, which resulted in the Headteachers being summoned to attend Hearings held by the Commission. They were found guilty. The penalty inflicted was demotion and a penalty transfer to schools with “good Headteachers” where they will be supervised and given the opportunity to look, learn and practise how to manage a school effectively,” the Commission said in a press release.
These grievances number among 60 plus complaints the TSC addressed during the first quarter of 2015, during which period 45 hearings were held. There were also 27 cases of irregularity- persistent unpunctuality by some teachers. The TSC is concerned about this particular issue as punctuality is considered one of the main pillars of discipline and orderliness in the life of a teacher, a student and of course the society.
“When a teacher has a high rate of unpunctuality, it becomes an even more serious matter since it affects the programme and purpose of the education system,” the statement said. “The student is deprived of the opportunity to benefit from a full national curriculum.” In addition, “a bad role model is presented to the student who would inculcate the wrong values and attitudes, including growing up not feeling morally obligated to give a full day’s work to an employer.” The Commission said the situation reveals that some teachers do not feel morally obligated to protect the well-being of students attending school which is a prime responsibility.
While it empathised with some explanations, the educators were reminded that they had an obligation and a responsibility to all including their employers and more particularly the children under their charge. “They have a special responsibility to contribute to the progress and well-being of the country,” the TSC said.
The TSC also addressed a few cases of young male teachers encouraging “undue familiarity” with pupils. This led to allegations of touching/fondling resulting in one teacher being dismissed and two transferred and bonded for one year and given a final warning.
According to the statement, the TSC has also started Senior Promotion exercises in keeping with the published criteria.
