Teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) have till 23rd August 2021 to get vaccinated or face disciplinary action.
Though TSC has not specified the disciplanary action it will take to those who fail to get the jab, sources say withholding teachers August pay is in the Commissions options to force teachers to get the vaccine.
In a circular released yesterday 16th August 2021 TSC ordered for immediate vaccination of all teachers by Monday 23rd August 2021.
This comes after TSC released a report that showed only 178,734 teachers have been vaccinated since the exercise was launched.
TSC report also says 110,342 teachers have received full dose and that it targets to vaccinate all 330,671 teachers on TSC payroll.
In the circular directed to all school heads TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia says it is imperative for teachers to get vaccinated as per the government circular Ref. No. OP/CAB.1/12A dated 5th August 2021.
Nancy Macharia says there is an upsurge of positivity rate and increasing numbers of Covid-19 infections across the country that necessitates immediate response to curb the increasing numbers.
Macharia attached a copy of a circular sent to all civil servants dated 5th August 2021 which directed them to be vaccinated by 23rd August 2021 deadline or face disciplinary action.
TSC in its statement yesterday said it will go by the circular which settles on disciplining those who fail to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
According to the Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua, there have been low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines among public servants especially the security sector, teachers and the core civil service.
Kinyua said the low uptake of Covid vaccine is a deliberate move by a section of workers so that they can stay away from work under the guise of working from home.
Following the claims government has escalated its Covid-19 vaccination exercise among government workers.
According to Kinyua all government workers will be given first priority to get a Covid jab by 23rd August.
“It has therefore been decided that all civil servants will be priotized in the ongoing vaccination exercise and that those who will not have been given the 1st jab by 23rd August, 2021 be treated as discipline cases and appropriate action taken against them. Principal Secretaries/Accounting Officers are hereby instructed to ensure full implementation of this decision,” said Kinyua in a statement addressed to all PS’s.
Teachers have been urged to go for Covid-19 vaccines following fears that schools may be susceptible to the virus.
TSC OFFICIAL CIRCULAR TO ALL SCHOOL HEADS
COVID-19 CONTAINMENT MEASURES
Following the upsurge currently being witnessed in the positivity rate and increasing numbers of Covid-19 infections across the country, it is imperative that you mop up teachers and officers under your respective jurisdiction to get vaccinated as per the government directive vide circular Ref. No. OP/CAB.1/12A dated 5th August 2021. (Attached for your attention)
You are further directed to bring to the attention of all officers and teachers the contents of the attached circular.
DR. NANCY NJERI MACHARIA
SECRETARY/CHIEF EXECUTIVE
