TSC Implements Mass Teacher Transfers Ahead of January 2025 School Reopening.
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With just few days remaining until schools reopen for the first term, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) county and sub-county offices are overwhelmed with teacher transfer requests.
These include applications from delocalized teachers seeking reassignment to their home counties, as well as transfer letters for local classroom teachers and school administrators.
Many teachers who did not apply for transfers are expected to discover their reassignments in January when schools resume. Among those affected are Junior Secondary School (JSS) teachers, with a notable number being relocated to new institutions.
Overview of 14,613 January 2025 Transfers
- Primary School Transfers: 10,934 (189 deputy headteachers, 1,948 headteachers)
- Secondary School Transfers: 1,316 (226 principals)
- Regional-Level Transfers: 12,019
- Inter-Regional Transfers: 2,594 handled by TSC headquarters
The TSC has already issued 11,843 transfer letters for delocalized teachers whose pending requests were approved. These teachers can now collect their letters from their respective TSC County Directors’ offices.
Timeline and Process for Transfer Approvals
In September, the TSC advised teachers seeking transfers to their home counties to apply early. The Commission’s transfer panels approved the requests in December following the conclusion of national examinations.
Teachers are expected to collect their letters promptly and report to their new stations when schools reopen in January.
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Previously, in August, TSC faced mounting pressure from delocalized teachers whose transfer requests had remained pending for months.
The Commission had suspended such transfers in April and August, deciding instead to approve them once annually to minimize disruptions during schooling and examination periods.
The policy shift ensures that teacher transfers are completed online before letters are issued.
The Delocalization Policy
The delocalization policy, initiated by TSC in 2016, required teachers to work outside their home counties.
Initially, classroom teachers were relocated, followed by headteachers and principals. However, the Kenya Kwanza government repealed this policy in January 2023, after the National Assembly declared it illegal due to lack of parliamentary approval. Following this decision, TSC began transferring affected teachers back to their home counties.
Transfer Mechanisms and Criteria
Transfers within the same region are managed by TSC Regional Directors, while inter-regional transfers require approval from the TSC transfer boards at the national level.
The Commission has prioritized equitable distribution of teachers, ensuring optimal staffing across public education institutions.
As of June 2023, 46,926 teachers had requested transfers to their home counties, but only 20,055 were successful. By June 30, approximately 26,871 teachers were still seeking reassignment.
The transfer policy mandates suitable replacements and vacancies at both the current and preferred stations before approvals.
Former Education CS Ezekiel Machogu emphasized the importance of equitable teacher distribution to guarantee quality education nationwide.
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He highlighted that transfer requests are guided by staffing norms, availability of vacancies, the need for replacements, and other factors like medical conditions.
Status Updates on Transfers
Teachers can check the status of their transfer applications on the TSC online portal. The possible statuses include:
- Pending: Application received and awaiting supervisor remarks.
- Acknowledged: Eligible for transfer but awaiting vacancies or replacements.
- Not Approved: Request denied due to unmet conditions, such as insufficient time at the current station or lack of a replacement.
- Approved: Transfer granted, and letters issued via school principals for post-primary institutions or County Directors for primary schools.
If a request is withdrawn, the teacher can reapply under the set guidelines.
Moving Forward
Teachers are encouraged to follow up on their applications and collect approved transfer letters in time to report to their new assignments.
The TSC remains committed to ensuring that transfers are conducted smoothly while maintaining balance in teacher distribution across the country.
TSC Implements Mass Teacher Transfers Ahead of January 2025 School Reopening.
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