Last reviewed: 26 October 2026
Every registered teacher in Kenya is bound by a code of conduct, whether they work in a public school on TSC terms or in a private school. Most teachers know the headline rules, but disciplinary cases often turn on details few people have read, such as when a learner may be sent home, which gifts can be accepted or whether a teacher may run a side business. This guide walks through the code clause by clause in plain language, so you know what is expected and where the lines are.
On this page
Which Rules Apply
The main document is the Teachers Service Commission (Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers) Regulations, published as Legal Notice 162 of 2015 and cited simply as the Code of Ethics for Teachers. You can read the full, current text on Kenya Law’s copy of the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers. Paragraph 3 says it applies to all registered teachers, not only those employed by TSC.
The code also pulls in two other sets of rules. Teachers must comply with the General Leadership and Integrity Code in Part II of the Leadership and Integrity Act, and with Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity. Breaches are handled under the disciplinary procedures in the TSC Act and the Code of Regulations for Teachers (Legal Notice 196 of 2015).
Protecting Learners
The strictest rules concern learners’ safety:
- Duty of care (paragraph 9): teachers must take reasonable steps to protect children, including those with special needs, from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, violence, discrimination, corporal punishment and exploitative labour. A teacher must not deny a learner learning materials or remedial teaching because of their ability.
- Sexual relations (paragraph 22): a teacher must not engage in any sexual activity with a learner, whether or not the learner consents, must not request or pressure a learner for sexual favours, and must not flirt with a learner. Teachers must not send learners to their personal residences for any reason, and must not cover up sexual abuse of a learner.
- Releasing learners: the same paragraph says a teacher must not release a learner from school before notifying the parent or guardian, and must not send a learner away earlier than 6.00am or later than noon, except in emergencies.
- Drugs and pornography (paragraphs 25 and 26): teachers must not supply or expose learners to drugs, cigarettes, alcohol or pornography, and must not report to work under the influence.
Professional Conduct Day to Day
Paragraph 12 sets out expectations many teachers will recognise from appraisal: neat and decent dressing that befits the profession, punctuality and meeting deadlines, no absence without authorisation, and keeping professional records. Paragraph 21 requires teachers to evaluate learners honestly and ensure internal and external examinations are conducted fairly and without cheating, which matters for school-based assessment under CBC as much as for national exams.
Paragraph 24 requires teachers to treat colleagues with dignity and prohibits bullying, and paragraph 23 prohibits sexual harassment of colleagues or members of the public.
Money, Gifts and Side Businesses
- Gifts (paragraph 17): a teacher must not ask for or accept gifts that might influence their work. Occasional souvenirs, customary gifts from relatives and friends, gifts under a recognised reward system and non-monetary gifts in an official capacity worth up to KSh 20,000 are allowed.
- Personal finances (paragraph 27): teachers must live within their means, settle their debts and not evade taxes.
- Other work (paragraph 28): a teacher must not run private business during official working hours and, if serving full time, must not take other gainful employment that conflicts with their duties or is done during working hours.
- Holiday tuition (paragraph 32): teachers may support learning outside normal school hours but must not conduct holiday tuition.
- Conflict of interest (paragraph 13): teachers must declare interests and stay out of tenders or decisions involving themselves, relatives or business associates.
- Declarations (paragraph 36): teachers in public service make initial, final and periodic declarations of income, assets and liabilities under the Leadership and Integrity Act.
Politics and Public Life
Paragraph 16 requires political neutrality. A teacher must not act as an agent for a party or candidate or campaign in a way that compromises their office, and a teacher who wants to contest an election must retire or resign at least six months before the election date. Paragraph 31 asks teachers to take part in community life within dignified limits and not use their office to solicit funds for public collections.
Reporting and What Happens After a Breach
Paragraph 37 places a duty on every teacher to report breaches of the code to an appropriate authority, such as the head of institution or the TSC Secretary, and requires such reports to be handled confidentially. TSC may investigate on its own initiative or on a complaint, and paragraph 40 says a teacher alleged to have broken the code faces the disciplinary process under the TSC Act and the Code of Regulations. Outcomes in serious cases, especially those involving learners, can include removal from the register.
Practical Habits That Keep You Safe
- Meet learners in open spaces or with the door open, and never alone at your house.
- Keep communication with learners on official channels and involve parents.
- Record any gift you receive and declare it if in doubt; the code includes a gift report form.
- Keep accurate marks and attendance records; they protect you if a dispute arises.
- Sign and keep a copy of the staff integrity pact if your employer asks for it.
More for Teachers
Pair this guide with our explainers on TSC TPAD, TPD and CPD and TSC registration. For classroom resources you can trust, the Teacher Pass gives you printable practice papers with full marking schemes, every question checked by a teacher.