In accordance with Article 209 (02) of the Constitution of Guyana, the Teaching Service Commission may delegate its powers to a committee or committees. The Teaching Service Commission has delegated powers to the following Committees:

Full Time Members Committee

The Full Time Members Committee shall consist of three (3) members, The Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Full Time Member of the Commission. The Chairperson of this Committee shall be the Chairperson of the Commission.

The powers of the Full Time Members Committee are as follows:

  1. Monitor the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the Secretariat and to recommend to the Commission any special action that ought to be taken.
  2. To monitor the preparation of Annual Reports of the Commission for timely submission to the Competent Authority.
  3. To liaise with agencies external to the Teaching Service Commission (such as the Presidential Secretariat, the Public Service Commission, the Ministry of Education, the School Board Secretariat, the Guyana Teachers' Union and the Private Sector Organization).
  4. To consider and determine jointly any matter of such critically of great urgency that it cannot await consideration by the Teaching Service Commission Committee to wish it should normally be referred.
  5. To report to the Commission periodically as the Commission determines.
  6. Any two members of the Committee, one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Committee, may exercise the powers set out above.

The Appointments Committee

The Appointments Committee shall consist of five (5) members, the Deputy Chairperson, the Full-Time Member and three (3) Part-Time members. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be elected by the Commission using some consensus mechanisms as the Commission deems fit.

The powers of the Appointments Committee are as follows:

  1. To meet regulary to consider and determine jointly any matter concerning the Appointment (including Regrading, Transfers, Secondments, and Acting Senior Appointments but excluding Retirements and Promotions) of Teachers for further processing through the Personnel Division.
  2. To report to the Commission periodically as the Commission determines.
  3. Any two members of the Committee, one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the Committee, may exercise the powers set out above provided that the decision on the matter has the concurrence of the Secretary, Teaching Service Commission as being in accord with the policy and procedures of the Commission.

The Disciplinary Committee

The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of three (3) members, the Deputy Chairperson, the Full-Time Member, and one Member. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be elected by the Commission using such consensual mechanisms as the Commission deems fit

The powers of the Disciplinary Committee are as follows:

  1. To meet as necessary to consider and determine any matter concerning the discipline of Teachers below the grade of Headmaster/Headmistress/Principal.
  2. To consider any matter concerning the discipline of Teachers acting in or substantively holding the grade of Headmaster/Headmistress/Principal and to recommend to the Commission for decision by the Commission, the penalty, if any, to be imposed.
  3. To report to the Commission periodically as the Commission determines.
  4. Any two members of the Committee, one of whom shall be the Chairperson of the committee shall exercise the powers set out above.

Teacher Liable to Disciplinary Proceedings

A Teacher who is alleged to be guilty of an offence by failing to comply with any law proceeding or directive for the time being in force, shall be liable to Disciplinary Proceedings instituted by the Teaching Service Commission as soon as it receives information by letters, reports, statements or during visits to schools, or from any source whatsoever given either orally or in writing directly to it, in accordance with the procedures prescribed by it.

Charges, Offences and Penalties

The Charges as set out in the Education Act 39:01 Section 47 are as follows:

1. Improper Conduct 5. Unfitness
2. Neglect of Duty 6. Irregularity
3. Misconduct 7. Conduct unbecoming of a teacher
4. Inefficiency 8. Lack of discipline on the part of teacher

Each complaint is fixed against the appropriate charge listed at above.

Penalty, if any, is awarded after due process.

The Penalties awarded for the Offences under each Charge discretionary penalites. They include

1. Warning
3. Penalty Tranfer
2. Suspension without Pay (Loss of Pay)
4. Dismissal

Where the Act committed is a Criminal Act, the Teacher is interdicted from duty pending the investigation and decision by the Court. As a consequence of the decision of the Court, the Teacher may either be dismissed from duty or reinstated. However, it must be noted that the Teaching Service Commission is at its discretion to disagree with the decision of the Court if it has valid reasons for doing so; thereby awarding a penalty of its own.

Click here to view the Table of Charges, Offences and Penalties, under the Education Act Chapter 39:01, Section 47.

The Financial and General Purpose Committee

The Financial and General Purpose Committee shall consist of three members, Deputy Chairperson, and Two (2) Part-Time Members. The Chairperson of the Committee shall be elected by the Commission using such consensual mechanisms as the Commission deems fit.

The powers of the Financial and General Purpose Committee are as follows:

  1. To liaise with the Secretary, Teaching Service Commission, who under the Financial Administration and Audit Act, Chapter 73:01 is the official on whom the National Assembly of Guyana has placed primary responsibility for the proper financial administration of the publice funds it appropriates to the Commission.
  2. To monitor the expenditure of funds under the various heads and sub-heads as approved by Parilament and in accordance with overall work programme approved by the Commission.

 
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