TSC Human Resource Management and Development officer Chrisantose Odhiambo . [Spice FM]
Teachers' unions want the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to define what counts as misconduct before enforcing its new social media directive, warning that vague rules could be used to intimidate educators.
Joseph Karuri, a Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) representative in Nairobi, said the union backs the commission's push to guard learners online but wants specific guidance on what breaches the rules and what penalties follow.
"We support TSC, but there should be clear guidelines on what constitutes misconduct and what kind of disciplinary action will be taken. This will help guide teachers and ensure that they understand the consequences of their actions," Karuri said.
Karuri warned that without such safeguards, school administrators or other agents of the employer could misuse the policy to intimidate teachers or interfere with legitimate expression outside school.
He noted that many teachers depend on social media for professional development, accessing teaching resources and sharing ideas that improve lesson delivery.
"We need to have a clear guideline, not just saying this is bad and when this happens, it's a misconduct and discipline is going to be taken," Karuri explained.
Unions are pushing for wider consultation between TSC and teachers before detailed guidelines take shape, arguing that educators need clarity on what is prohibited, particularly for content created outside school premises and working hours.