TSC Acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei addressing the 49th KESSHA Annual Conference 2026 held in Mombasa, June 25, 2026. /TSCThe Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has called for strict adherence to legal provisions by teachers in their use of social media within and outside the classroom to safeguard the dignity of the teaching profession.
TSC said interactions in digital spaces should not violate legal edicts such as the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, the Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers, the Leadership and Integrity Act and Chapter Six of the Constitution.
It added that while the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, unprofessional behaviour on social media platforms will attract disciplinary measures, including administrative or disciplinary sanctions.
The commission said ignorance of the law will not be tolerated as an excuse.
"Teachers who misuse digital platforms may expose themselves and the commission to legal liability arising from breaches of these statutory obligations," acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei warned.
Prohibited actions
Cyberbullying: This is the use of digital devices, the internet or mobile technology to intentionally harm, threaten or humiliate colleagues, learners, parents or members of the public.
It involves sending mean messages, spreading lies or sharing private photos online to cause distress.
Teachers are expected at all times to treat others with dignity, courtesy and respect and desist from online behaviour that humiliates others.
Incitement: Using social media to incite others to engage in unlawful activities, violence or actions that interfere with learning and breach public peace is strictly prohibited.
Posting content that amounts to propaganda for war, hate speech, advocacy of hatred or expression that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification or discrimination are potential criminal offences that could lead to prosecution in a court of law.
Sharing of obscene material: The circulation of offensive content such as nudes, erotic images or videos online amounts to unprofessionalism and can erode public trust in the entire education system.
Posting material that brings the teaching profession into disrepute: Teachers should not post content that ridicules, demeans or brings the teaching profession or TSC into disrepute.
A teacher should at all times be of good conduct, whether or not on official duty, and his or her private and public conduct must uphold the dignity and integrity of the teaching service.
Disclosing confidential information: Teachers come across significant amounts of personal data regarding their learners and colleagues. Sharing such information without consent — whether as gossip or a malicious leak — carries severe penalties and exposes both the individual teacher and TSC to legal liability.
Use of social media for political activity: The Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers (2015) prohibits teachers from engaging in partisan political campaigns.
Teachers are at all times expected to maintain political neutrality. Posting content manifesting support for or opposition to any political party or candidate is seen as compromising their neutrality.
Circulating false information as official TSC communication: Teachers should not impersonate a TSC official online or share false information as if it were official TSC communication.
Doing so violates the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018, on publication of false information and identity theft.
Knowingly posting false or misleading information to members of the public is prohibited.
Engaging in flirtatious communication with learners: Teachers are consistently expected to uphold the dignity, integrity and reputation of the teaching profession in all interactions with learners, colleagues, parents and members of the public.
Sexual advances towards learners, whether directly or through innuendo, explicit videos or images, flirtation or any other communication of a sexual nature are strictly prohibited.
Making requests or exerting pressure for sexual favours within the digital space to a learner, or soliciting unwelcome sexual activity from a fellow teacher or member of the public, amounts to sexual harassment.
"Teachers are therefore encouraged to refrain from developing or disseminating content that diminishes the dignity and integrity of the teaching profession, and to avoid engaging in conduct that may constitute cyber harassment, hate speech, incitement or any unlawful digital or related activity," TSC warned.
