Teachers who were interdicted for abusing alcohol and have since been rehabilitated will be considered for re-employment by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
Kiambu County Deputy TSC Director Ms Helen Muthoni said teachers who were alcoholics but have recovered will get a chance to be rehired during the ongoing recruitment exercise.
Muthoni, who spoke to the press in her Thika town office on Thursday, however, clarified that only teachers sacked on alcohol related offences would be considered for re-employment and not those interdicted on grounds of immorality.
She said since the affected teachers had immense experience, they were well placed to get their jobs back if they proved that they had stopped abusing alcohol.
Muthoni disclosed that alcoholism had affected the teaching fraternity in the county leading to poor performance in some schools.
She said previously the commission did not consider alcoholism as a disease but had changed its perception and is now offering rehabilitation services through its ‘Wellness’ department to affected teachers .
The deputy director noted that many teachers are being interdicted due to desertion of duty mostly caused by alcoholism.
She said plans are underway to establish a rehabilitation centre for teachers to curb the problem and protect students from negative impact of alcoholism.
“We are engaging in talks with the county government and other well-wishers to establish a rehabilitation centre which will help teachers who have indulged in alcoholism,” said the deputy director.