Teachers being public servants to the government of Kenya are also entitled to leaves. This leaves are only approved by the teachers employer TSC via its agents . A teacher is only entitled to apply this leaves if he/she has an urgent/pressing issue that affect him/her at work station. Its a requirement for a teacher to identify the leave he/she wants then goes ahead and apply.
In each calendar year the Teacher Service Commission allows its employees to apply at least one leave. Formal writings are highly recommended when applying for this leaves excluding those taken on holidays because they are not automatic to teachers no need of authorization.
Types of leaves for teachers in Kenya
There are seven types of leaves that are outlined by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) requires by teachers to apply. Application form is a mandatory, then apply and finally submit with necessary documents accompanying the leave you seeking.
Below are the leaves a teacher is entitled namely:
1. Annual leave
A registered TSC teacher is entitled to a maximum of 42 days annual leave, Notably it should be taken during school holidays. It is assumed that if a teacher is not on annual leave is on duty even during school holidays. Below is the how the annual application form looks like;
After completion of the form and attaching relevant supporting documents to that effect, it is submitted to the Institution’s head before he/she hands it to the sub-county Director for approval
2. Maternity & paternity leave
Maternity Leave
A female teacher is entitled to 90 calendar days maternity leave from the date of delivery. This leave is exclusive of annual leave. After completion of filling the form it should be submitted to the DEO/MEO/DCE through the head of institution at least 1 month before the leave is due and supporting medical documents are highly recommended. Below is the application form;
Paternity Leave
This leave is recommended to a male teacher only up to 10 days within the period of spouse’s maternity leave. This leave does not affect the annual holiday. If a teacher is married to more than one spouse ,he is granted the leave with respect to a partner whose name appears NHIF Card. The application done should be submitted to the DEO/MEO/DCE via the head of institution attaching a letter of the spouse’s confinement. Below is the application form:
3. TSC compassionate leave
For a teacher to be granted this leave for a maximum of 15 days in one calendar year there must be an urgent pressing needs such as passing (bereavement), sickness or hospitalization of family members. A Teachers should apply to the head of institution or agent then it is submitted to the sub -county director for approval. Below is the application form: Below is the application form;
4. Study leave
This Study leave is entitled in line with the policy existing from time to time. For one to secure this leave the following factors must be considered;
- Must have taught not less than five years .
- Must have a good performance track record .
Bellow is the application form;
5. Special leave
The Teacher service Commission grant special leave with pay to an instructor who has been appointed to attend seminars , meetings and even conferences for short duration which is relevant to the teachers’ duties.
A teacher who is obliged to be away from duties the commission can also grant special leave without pay .As like other leaves application is needed through the head of the institution for approval. Below is the application form;
6. Leave to spouses of diplomats
For a teacher to qualify for this leave must be married to a diplomat and accept unpaid salary during the period of the spouse’s assignment of duty outside Kenya. A letter of the spouses posting must be accompanied in the Application of the leave . An application form is sent a month earlier before lapsing of your spouse’s posting assignment.
7. Sick leave
These kind of leaves applies to instructors who suddenly fall ill while on duty. Its a requirement a teacher to make an application to Teacher Service Commission 48 hours due attending the hospital as an out-patient. For one to be an in-patient should do an application not less than 7 days . Medical documents that are relevant and duly certified by a registered medical practitioner should be provided as a proof.
A teacher on permanent and pensionable terms of service is entitled to 3 months sick leave with full pay which can be extended to three months with half pay. No pay for any further extension until one resumes duty.
Being on sick leave beyond the estimated period of six months he/she will be posted by the commission upon production of a certificate of medical fitness. If no Sick leave applied for within the stipulated time will be taken as absence without permission.
Below is the application form;
