Intern teachers attached to primary, junior and secondary schools are now entitled to a number of leaves that have officially been approved by Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for them.
Unlike their colleagues who are employed on permanent and pensionable terms, teachers working on contract only enjoy a limited number of leaves.
TSC has a total number of nine leaves that a teacher employed on permanent terms is entitled to.
These leaves are applied and approved through an online platform except under special occasions.
1. Sick Leave
2. Annual Leave
3. Compassionate Leave
4. Paternity Leave
5. Maternity Leave
6. Study Leave
7. Special Leave
8. Adoption Leave
9. Spouse of Diplomat Leave
A TSC teacher on internship will now enjoy four leaves which shall only be granted after applying through writing.
1) Sick Leave
An intern teacher will be entitled to a sick leave of upto a maximum of 90 days including weekends and holidays.
The intern teacher shall apply for the sick leave. A head of institution shall forward a teacher’s application for sick leave with the relevant medical documents to the sub county director.
Where the teacher is unable to apply for sick leave in person due to the nature or extent of sickness, the head of institution shall inform the sub county director in writing within fourteen days from the date of receiving information of the sickness.
The Commission shall, grant sick leave-
(a) for a maximum period of one month with full pay;
(b) on half pay for a further one month when the sickness extends beyond the first month; and
(c) without pay where the sickness extends beyond two months until the teacher resumes duty.
2) Maternity Leave
Female teachers on permanent and pensionable terms are entitled to a maximum of 120 days maternity leave with full pay.
Female intern teachers are entitled to a maximum of 90 days maternity leave with full pay which include weekends and holidays.
The intern teacher shall apply for the maternity leave. A head of institution shall forward a teacher’s application for maternity leave with the relevant medical documents to the sub county director.
A female teacher shall give the head of institution at least three months written notification of the intention to proceed on maternity leave which shall be accompanied by a letter from a registered medical practitioner indicating the expected date of delivery.
3) Paternity Leave
Male teachers are entitled to a maximum of 21 days paternity leave with full pay which is taken only once a year.
Male intern teachers are entitled to a maximum of 14 days paternity leave with full pay which include weekends and holidays.
The intern teacher shall apply for the paternity leave. A head of institution shall forward a teacher’s application for paternity leave with the relevant medical documents (evidence e.g copy of birth notification) to the sub county director.
4) Compassionate Leave
Compassionate leave is taken when one is faced with difficult or distressing situations. Such as a serious illness or injury of a loved one, burial of a family member, land dispute or if there is a flood or fire at their home.
An intern teachers is entitled to a maximum of 14 days compassionate leave with full pay which include weekends and holidays.
The teacher shall proceed for the leave after applying for the leave to the sub-county director through the headteacher.
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