EVALUATION OF TEACHERS’ SERVICE COMMISSION CODE OF CONDUCT AND ETHICS IN PREVENTING SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHER-STUDENT SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS IN BOMET COUNTY, KENYA

Abstract

There have been frequent cases of Kenyan teachers having sexual relationships with their students. However, there have been no studies undertaken to evaluate the Kenya’s Teachers’ Service Commission Code of Conduct and Ethics in preventing teacher-student sexual relationships. This study evaluated Teachers’ Service Commission Code of Conduct and Ethics in preventing sexual relationships between secondary school teachers and students in Bomet District of Kenya. Sixteen schools were sampled out of the 54 public schools in the district. This represented 30 percent of the total population of schools. Four of the schools were Girls’ Boarding schools and six co-educational Day schools. Purposive and systematic sampling techniques were used. Sixteen Guidance and counseling teachers, 16 head teachers, two Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (DQASOs) and two Kenyan National Union of Teachers (KNUT) officials were involved. Additionally, various factors categorized as language, dressing, ignorance of the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics, school and personality were addressed. They responded to the factors expressing their perception on the seriousness of each as cause for sexual relationships between teachers and students. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed qualitatively and to a lesser extent quantitatively. Data was analyzed and illustrated using tables. The study findings were an eye opener to the education stakeholders in the District. It formed the basis of solving problems of teachers’ and students’ sexual relationships. The findings are that despite the existence of TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics, teachers continued to engage sexually with their students. Another finding is that TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics have not been availed in all the schools. The study recommended that TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics should be availed in all schools. Strict punitive measures should be taken against teachers involving sexually with their students. The researcher suggests that a study can be conducted on the causes of teacher-student sexual relationships.