The Ministry of Education has issued a reminder to all education officers and teachers to strictly follow TSC Circular No. 3 of 2010 and Circular No. 14 of 2018 on the protection of pupils and students. The directive covers all learner activities — from sports and drama to educational tours — and stresses that only registered teachers may supervise, train or accompany learners to safeguard their safety, welfare and dignity.
Key Takeaways
- All learner activities must be supervised by at least one registered teacher of the same gender, taking numbers into account.
- Only registered (current) teachers may teach, train, supervise or accompany learners; unregistered or deregistered persons are prohibited.
- Retired teachers and officers are not allowed to handle learners or serve as team officials, trainers, or supervisors.
- Regional, County and Sub-County Directors must circulate the circular and ensure strict compliance; breaches will attract administrative action.
Protecting pupils and students: core directives
The circular applies to all school-related programs conducted inside or outside school premises, including sports and games, drama, music, training sessions, national rehearsals, educational tours, Scouts and Girl Guides. To ensure consistent protection of pupils and students, the Ministry requires schools to:
- Assign at least one registered teacher of the same gender to accompany groups of learners during any activity.
- Exclude volunteers or instructors who are not registered with the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) from roles that involve handling learners.
- Refuse engagement of retired teachers or officers as trainers, supervisors or officials of school teams.
- Report any planned activities through appropriate school and county education offices for oversight and approval where required.
How schools should implement the circular
Schools can take practical steps to meet the circular’s requirements and strengthen learner protection. Use this simple plan:
- Audit staff registration: Maintain an up-to-date list of registered teachers and confirm TSC registration before assigning responsibilities.
- Plan supervision ratios: For larger groups, assign additional registered teachers and consider gender balance to meet the accompaniment rule.
- Formalize agreements: Use written permission slips and clear role descriptions when external trainers (who are registered teachers) are invited.
- Train staff on child protection: Integrate child protection guidance into staff meetings and training, and link these to school lesson planning and activities.
For curriculum-aligned activities and safe lesson delivery, schools can consult CBC resources and planning tools such as CBC lesson plans and CBC curriculum designs. For organising supervised practice and trials before competitions, consider guidelines used in mock events like national schools mock exams.
Roles and responsibilities of education officers
Regional, County and Sub-County Directors of Education must circulate the circular to all institutions and ensure compliance. Their roles include:
- Monitoring schools to confirm only registered teachers supervise learner activities.
- Investigating reports of non-compliance and recommending administrative action if breaches occur.
- Providing guidance to schools on safe planning for off-site activities, including risk assessment and required chaperone numbers.
Consequences of non‑compliance
Any breach of the directives will attract appropriate administrative action under existing regulations. Schools and individuals found to be in violation may face disciplinary measures from the school administration or the Teachers Service Commission. The Ministry emphasises that strict compliance protects learners’ safety, welfare and dignity and reduces institutional risk.
Quick checklist for teachers before any learner activity
- Is the supervising teacher registered with TSC? (Required)
- Is there at least one same-gender registered teacher accompanying the learners?
- Are retired or deregistered personnel excluded from supervisory roles?
- Have parents/guardians given written consent for off-site activities?
- Has the activity been logged with your County/Sub-County office where necessary?
Final guidance
Treat compliance with the TSC circulars as a non-negotiable priority. Ensuring the protection of pupils and students requires proactive planning, use of registered staff, and clear communication between schools and education offices. Consistent application of these measures creates a safer learning environment for every child.
