There is a surge in the number of teachers seeking transfer from their employer Teachers Service Commission (TSC).
The teachers want to change their current working station to a new one when schools reopen next term. Some of the teachers are delocalized teachers wanting to transfer back home.
Ministry of Education calendar shows that schools must close by 1st June 2022. However some secondary schools are closing as early as today.
Most primary schools are closing tomorrow with some closing on Thursday while others on Friday.
The Commission has relaxed transfer rules for teachers who were posted or transferred outside their home counties.
Teachers who get partners to swap with can do so even without completing the required five year period.
According to TSC latest policy, teachers working in North Eastern region are only required to have completed at least three years before they are transferred back to their home counties.
Teachers in other regions are required to work for at least five years before they are considered for transfer to their homes.
“The teacher must have served in a station for a period of not less than three years and five years for North Eastern and other areas respectively since first appointment; unless otherwise authorized by the Commission’s Secretary,” read the new guidelines in part.
Teacher transfers is captured in clause 64 of the Code of Regulations for Teachers (CORT).
The policy on transfer of teachers is always subject to availability of a replacement as per the Curriculum Based Establishment for secondary schools and staffing norms for primary schools.
A teacher in primary school can be transferred within the county while teachers in secondary schools can be moved to any county.
TSC started to implement delocalization policy in the year 2016. The Commission started posting newly recruited teachers outside their counties.
In 2018 TSC delocalized school heads who had overstayed in same working station and county.
However the policy was slowed and later suspended after protests from teachers unions and other political quarters.
Last month the Commission initiated mass transfer exercise for teachers countrywide.
TSC CEO Dr Nancy Macharia had ordered the exercise to transfer and balance staff to start immediately and concluded by 9th May 2022.
In a circular dated 4th April 2022, Macharia had said the process of staffing of schools will be guided by ‘staffing norms’ to achieve the optimal utilization of teachers and reduce disparities in teacher distribution.
“Despite numerous efforts by the Commission to address teacher shortages across the country, the situation is always compounded by irregular teacher distribution thereby, creating an imbalance that affects delivery of service in the teaching sector. Further, the teacher staffing imbalance continues to limit the initiative toward the equitable distribution of the teaching Resource. If unchecked, this will adversely impact learning outcomes in our learning Institutions,” said Macharia.
The Commission suspended delocalization policy due to outcries from teachers who are vehemently opposed to it claiming it is tearing their families apart.
Some of the things Macharia said the Commission will consider when transfering teachers are; ‘First in, first out factor’ ‘Gender balance where applicable’ and ‘Teacher’s security where applicable‘.
Macharia outlined the following factors to be considered during the transfer exercise.
1. The age of the teacher:
Teachers aged 56 years and above will be exempted from the transfer out of the area of their current work stations.
2. Health status:
Teachers with proven cases of terminal illness will be exempt from transfers out of the current sub county of work.
However, the Committee will evaluate each case on its own merit taking into consideration the supporting Medical documents, the availability and accessibility to the appropriate medical facilities amongst other factors in the proposed station.
3. Teachers with Disabilities;
Teachers with disability with the necessary certification will be exempted from transfers outside their current station sub County.
When transferring teachers, priority shall be given to schools within the sub county within the targeted shortage before transferring out of the sub county.
4. Family considerations:
Transfer couples who are employees of the Commission and have formally declared their marital status in the same neighborhood where possible.
5. Length of stay since first appointment:
The teacher must have served in a station for a period of not less than three (3) years and five (5) years for North Eastern and other areas respectively since first appointment; unless otherwise authorized by the Commission Secretary.
TERMS RELATED TO ONLINE TRANSFER YOU SHOULD KNOW
Pending: This is displayed once the teacher’s application is successfully delivered awaiting remarks from respective supervisors.
Acknowledged: This is displayed if the teacher is eligible for transfer and awaiting the availability of vacancy and or the teacher’s suitable replacement.
Not Approved: This is same as when the teacher’s request is regretted. This is applicable if the teacher has not met conditions set as per the transfer policy for example having not served in the current station for a period of not less than five years since first appointment, lack of suitable replacement or vacancy.
Approved: This is displayed after the transfer committee approves the teachers transfer request. The teachers transfer letter is then issued through the Principal in the case of post primary institutions and through the County Director in the case of primary school.