Professional Obligations Regarding Teachers' Public Expression
In Kenya, several primary legal and regulatory documents outline a teacher’s professional obligations regarding speech, public expression, and communication: 1. TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics (Enacted under the Public Officer Ethics Act) This is the primary ethical framework for all registered public school teachers and Teachers Service Commission (TSC) staff. Key sections regarding speech and conduct include: Section 7(4) (Conduct of Duties): Mandates that teachers maintain patient, dignified, and courteous communication with students, colleagues, and members of the public. Section 19 (Misleading the Public): Strictly prohibits public officers from knowingly giving false, inaccurate, or misleading information to the public or fellow officers. Section 14 (Private Affairs & Outside Conduct): Requires that non-official activities (including personal speech or online posts) do not compromise the dignity of the teaching profession or create conflicts of interest. 2. TSC Code o...