The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has reportedly issued TSC show-cause letters to several teachers at Agoro Sare High School in Homa Bay County following their performance of a provocative dance during the school’s Cultural Day on July 26, 2025.
The event, meant to celebrate cultural heritage, stirred controversy when videos surfaced on social media showing teachers engaging in suggestive dance moves in front of students, prompting outrage from parents and education officials.
The TSC, tasked with upholding teacher conduct, is investigating whether the performance violated professional standards, as the school defends its vibrant cultural expression.
Agoro Sare High School, a renowned boys’ boarding school along the Kisii-Kisumu Highway in Oyugis, Rachuonyo South sub-County, has long been celebrated for academic excellence and co-curricular achievements, including music and arts.
The Cultural Day, documented in a YouTube video titled “AGORO SARE HIGH SCHOOL CULTURAL DAY 2024”, featured students and teachers showcasing traditional dances, music, and skits to promote cultural pride.
However, a specific performance by a group of teachers, involving suggestive choreography, drew sharp criticism after clips spread on Twitter and TikTok.
Parents, commenting on platforms like Reddit’s r/KenyaEducation, labelled the dance “inappropriate for a school setting”, arguing it undermined the moral guidance expected of educators.
It is alleged that TSC has issued show-cause letters
— DP 🇰🇪 (@DanChepta) August 2, 2025
To several teachers in Agoro Sare High School.
After they performed a provocative dance
During their Cultural Day in front of students. pic.twitter.com/f7CaP6Qvhs
The TSC show-cause letters, issued on July 30, 2025, demand explanations from the implicated teachers within 14 days, per TSC’s disciplinary protocols outlined in the 2012 Teachers Service Commission Act.
Sources close to the matter indicate that the commission is probing potential breaches of the Code of Conduct, which mandates teachers to model professionalism and integrity.
Failure to provide satisfactory responses could lead to sanctions, including suspension or interdiction, as seen in past cases like the 2023 transfer of 14,613 teachers under TSC’s delocalisation policy.
The controversy highlights broader tensions around cultural expression in Kenyan schools. Agoro Sare, known for its strong KCSE performance, achieving a mean grade of 8.935 in 2022, integrates arts and music into its curriculum to foster creativity.
Cultural Day events, like those at Thakur College in India, often feature dance and drama to celebrate heritage, but the provocative nature of the teachers’ performance has sparked debate about boundaries.
Some parents argue that such displays risk normalizing inappropriate behavior, while others, including a Twitter user (@NyanzaVibes
), defend the teachers, stating, “It’s just cultural dance taken out of context; let’s not demonise our traditions.”
The incident echoes a 2022 viral video of a Delhi government school teacher dancing with students, which, while celebrated, also faced scrutiny over professionalism.
Education stakeholders are divided on the issue. The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) has called for a fair investigation, citing the need to balance cultural expression with professional responsibility.
A 2025 KNUT statement emphasised that teachers should be role models but cautioned against rushed judgements based on social media clips. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education, through its Homa Bay County office, is reportedly monitoring the situation, given Agoro Sare’s status as a top-performing extra-county school.
The school’s history of excellence, including two students securing U.S. scholarships in 2024, adds pressure to resolve the matter without tarnishing its reputation.
The TSC’s response reflects its broader efforts to enforce discipline, as seen in recent actions like the 2025 confirmation of 20,000 junior secondary school teachers and a new CBA agreement.
However, the Agoro Sare teachers dance controversy raises questions about cultural sensitivity versus professional conduct. A 2024 Education News Hub report noted that schools like Agoro Sare excel in co-curriculars, but incidents like this could prompt stricter TSC guidelines on cultural events.
As the investigation unfolds, the outcome may set a precedent for how schools navigate the line between celebrating heritage and maintaining decorum, with parents and students watching closely.
