(1) A teacher's increment may be suspended, deferred or withheld by the Permanent Secretary and the Commission shall be notified accordingly.
(2) The grant of an increment may be withheld for—
(a) lack of efficiency;
(b) unsatisfactory service or conduct;
(c) frequent and/or unauthorised absences;
(d) failure in examinations to the passing of which such increment is conditional.
(3) Where a teacher's increment has been suspended, deferred or withheld, the teacher shall have the right of appeal to the Teaching Service Commission.