Leave Rules Includes: Vacation, sick leave, study leave, maternity leave and family leave. General Teachers shall remain employed and keep their employment terms while on leave. Seniority, salary grade, pension, eligibility for promotion and other conditions of service shall not be discontinued during leave periods. Vacation Teacher and school leader vacations must correspond with the school holiday. If a teacher applies for or is offered or selected for CPD, the school holiday may be applied for this purpose. During the school holiday teachers should plan and prepare for the coming semester, subject to the direction of the school leader. Sick Leave A teacher must inform the school’s Head Teacher / Principal immediately if they fall ill and will be absent from school. The school leader is responsible for granting sick leave. If a school leader is sick they should inform the other school leader in the school. For longer periods of sickness they must inform the SMC/Education Secretary/BoG Chair. After a designated period of sickness absence, an absent teacher must present certification of sickness from a registered medical practitioner (under development). If sickness absence exceeds six (6) months, the teacher’s salary will be reduced by 50%. After one year of absence the teacher will be removed from service. Study Leave Teachers may be granted study leave with pay. TSC determines priority areas for the award of study leave with pay and the duration of such leave. Science and Technology teachers should have taught for a minimum of three (3) years to qualify for study leave, while other teachers will qualify if they have taught for a minimum of five (5) years. Study leave period will not affect seniority and pension. Teachers must complete an APPLICATION FOR STUDY LEAVE FORM. The teacher must include their university acceptance letter, offer of scholarship, letter of appointment to teaching service and ED form approval with their application. A teacher must apply to their school leader for study leave with pay. Their request is sent to TSC-DO and reviewed by TSC-HQ. If approved, TSC-HQ will send a letter of approval to the teacher. Maternity Leave Maternity leave is given to a female teacher when she gives birth. Maternity leave for female teachers is three (3) months. A pregnant teacher may choose to take part of this prior to giving birth. The school leader should inform TSC-DO and in turn, TSC-HQ, two (2) months in advance if a teacher is due to go on maternity leave, including expected dates of leave and return. Family Leave SYSTEM UNDER DEVELOPMENT