TSC Side Hustle Ban: Teachers Running Businesses Could Face Disciplinary Action
Teachers employed by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) could be in for a rough ride if new proposed laws come into effect.
The Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 is currently sitting in the National Assembly, and one of the things it proposes to do is list engaging in other gainful employment as a disciplinary offence in the teaching service.
This could affect teachers who run their own businesses on the side, whether that’s through farming, setting up a transport company or working on a consultancy basis – basically anyone who supplements their salary with a bit of extra work.
And dont get me wrong – the proposal is not yet a total ban on teachers having a second income stream. The law would still have to be passed by parliament, after all. But it does seem like a step in that direction.
Proposed TSC Rules Target Teachers With Side Hustles
The proposed legislation basically says that Teachers shouldn’t be allowed to do other work while they’re employed by TSC. Which isn’t exactly ideal timing, given that some teachers really rely on that extra cash.
All sorts of things could be affected, from farming and running shops, to transport businesses and consultancy work. If it gets passed, it’ll become part of the rules that govern disciplinary action against teachers.
Teachers Running Businesses Could Be Affected
If the proposed law comes in as planned, it could have some big implications for teachers who do operate a business on the side.
Some teachers farm, for example. Others run retail shops or have a transport business. Others offer consultancy services, or try to earn a bit of extra cash in other ways. The point is, even though the law is talking about “other gainful employment”, it’s likely that the precise details of how that gets applied will be pretty important in deciding whether or not someone gets in trouble.
So its not just about second jobs – the wording could cover all sorts of ways in which teachers earn extra income.
What the TSC Amendment Bill 2026 Proposes
The Teachers Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2026 – which is being championed by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah – wants to broaden the list of things teachers can get in trouble for.
The Bill adds getting another gainful job to the list of things that can get teachers into hot water.
To be clear though, it’s still just a proposal at this point, & everything is up for negotiation in Parliament. So the exact wording and final impact could change.
Proposed TSC Law Also Targets Other Misconduct
Getting a side hustle is just one part of the proposed shake-up.
The Bill also wants to crack down even harder on teachers who get it on with their students – or in other words, who trade sex or other treats for things like good grades or cash.
Other new “no-no’s” for teachers would include bullying people online, faking documents, nicking school property, doing dodgy deals with the school, not turning up much, being drunk at work, and getting into fights.
The new law also wants to stop teachers exposing kids to porn or handing them dodgy substances.
What Existing TSC Rules Say About Teachers’ Conduct
Teachers already have to follow the TSC Code of Conduct and Ethics for Teachers, which has rules about stuff like conflict of interest, getting yourself into debt to your school, taking on private pupils and how to be a proper pro in your job.
These rules were set out in the Teachers Service Commission Act and the Leadership and Integrity Act.
So what the proposed 2026 changes are doing is adding in some more rules to the existing framework governing teachers.
Is TSC Already Banning Teachers From Side Hustles?
No – not yet anyway
This rumoured ban is actually just part of the proposed Bill – not something that’s been put into effect yet.
It would have to go through the whole legislative process before becoming a law teachers would actually have to follow.
Which is why those headlines suggesting that teachers have already been banned from having a second job are getting it a bit wrong.
All this proposed Bill is doing at the moment is saying that having another job could get teachers into trouble – it’s not a ban just yet.
What the Proposed Changes Could Mean for Teachers
If the proposal goes through, it could have a big impact on teachers who need the extra cash from their side hustles.
Teachers with farms, shops, taxis, consultancy businesses or other ways of making money will have to think very carefully about what exactly is meant by gainful employment if this amendment gets signed into law.
So this is all going to be of interest to teachers, their unions and others who care about the teaching profession as Parliament debates the proposed changes.
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TSC Side Hustle Ban: Teachers Running Businesses Could Face Disciplinary Action
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