THE Teaching Service Commission (TSC) has revealed that it dismissed 154 teachers in 2009, after its Disciplinary Committee deliberated on a large number of complaints from several stakeholders and members of communities throughout Guyana.
“Many dismissals stemmed from unauthorised absence from duty or failure to provide the required statutory notice when resigning,” said a TSC statement.
It explained that some of the complaints received included about teachers fighting amongst themselves; being under the influence of alcohol; unpunctuality and habitual lateness; flogging of children without authority; misappropriation of school funds; carnal knowledge; forgery of certificates/qualifications and inadequate work preparation.
Others were of improper or late completion and distribution of report cards; poor record keeping; leaving students unsupervised during school visits; use of school premises/property without permission; defacement of records; inefficiency and poor supervision.
The statement said the TSC has observed the development of a disturbing feature, where a number of complaints are sent directly to it and this causes undue delay in addressing them and efficiently discharging its constitutional mandate.
It also pointed out that it is very important that the Regions conduct their investigations and forward their reports to the TSC.
“Complaints must be sent to TSC through the appropriate channel with accompanying recommendations from Ministry officials. The TSC will then conduct its own investigations after receiving reports from the Regions,” the statement said.

Resolved
It said, while some complaints were resolved at school level, the more serious offences were dealt with by the Disciplinary Committee of the TSC and, in those cases, when the Committee received them, the errant teachers were sent on leave until proper investigations were conducted.
“In some instances, teachers were interdicted from duty pending the outcome of the investigation and final determination of the matter,” the statement said,
The TSC said it is hoped that, for the year 2010, with the appointment of many more Schools’ Welfare Officers and closer supervision by the Regional Education Officers, a reduction of offences will be seen.
The statement disclosed that the TSC visited a number of Regions during 2009, met with headteachers and held cluster meetings with all levels of teachers.
This was a productive exercise, as teachers were informed of the function and responsibility of the TSC and updated on any new regulations or procedures and the visits provided the opportunity to resolve many pending matters, the TSC said.
The statement said the TSC discovered that rationalisation was a very sore subject in almost every Region and, at the request of the Education Ministry and on the basis of over staffing at some schools, it transferred many teachers to schools recommended by the Regional Education Officers and some were very dissatisfied with their transfers for a number of reasons.
It said the TSC’s present efforts is in preparation for the scoring and processing of applications submitted for senior promotions in 2010.
“Thereafter, interviews will be conducted before the final promotion exercise. The preliminary results for senior 2010 promotions are expected to be released by the first week in June,” the statement announced.