The nationwide exercise began yesterday and teachers of both primary and secondary schools will be transferred to different schools across the country.
Teachers are worried about mass transfers for the next term as Teachers Service Commission (TSC) rationalizes staff across the country.
When it comes to transfers, TSC’s localization program has been a thorn in the side for teachers. Teachers have complained that the transfers are disintegrating families.
The transfers, on the other hand, are a major relief for teachers who are married and who have declared their marital status, as the commission has ordered that they be relocated to the same neighborhood as possible, according to the commission’s CEO, Nancy Macharia. This exercise is intended to ensure that all schools have a balanced teacher-teacher ratio before the start of the new academic year. On April 25, 2022, schools will reopen for the first term.
The nationwide exercise began yesterday and teachers of both primary and secondary schools will be transferred to different schools across the country.
In a circular to all TSC Regional Directors, Ms Macharia said that despite several efforts of the Commission to address the shortage of teachers, irregular teacher distribution has made the situation dire.
She said that if this issue is left unchecked, it will have a negative impact on the learning outcomes in our educational institutions.
She directed the regional directors to work with the county directors in their respective areas to coordinate teacher rationalization and ensure equitable distribution in schools. “Any movement undertaken in local areas should have a human face and be thoroughly discussed with all concerned offices to ensure equity. To all our learners in line with the existing staffing norms,” said Ms Macharia.
According to TSC, there is a requirement of 114,581 teachers in primary and secondary schools.
Age, health status, disability, marital status and current school time are all factors when transferring teachers.
Teachers above 56 years of age as well as people suffering from terminal diseases will be exempted from transfer. There are other disabled teachers who have the required certification.
“The committee will assess each case on its own merits, taking into account supporting medical documents, availability and access to appropriate medical facilities, among other factors in the proposed station,” she said.
Transfer eligibility.
To be eligible for transfers, teachers must have served in a station for at least three years, respectively, or five years for the North Eastern and other regions, since their first appointment, unless otherwise prescribed by the Secretary of the Commission. has not been authorized.
Preference should also be given to those teachers who have applied for transfer and are eligible. Ms Macharia said that in cases where teachers meet transfer criteria, the commission will first consider gender balance and teacher safety, where applicable.
“From now onwards, transfer of teachers will be a continuous exercise to address the shortage of staff and ensure equitable distribution and optimum teacher utilization,” he said. He said the staff balancing exercise is intended to be completed by May 9.
