TSC Yet To Approve Transfer Request For Teachers, Causing Endless Suffering

By Getrude Mathayo / Published May 29, 2023 | 3:39 pm

KEY POINTS

Sadly, the TSC has either by default or intentionally, chosen not to listen to the requests for transfers as stipulated in their own Teacher Transfer Policy and acting with the necessary speed.

The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, is yet to effect transfer requests of 21,544 teachers. The Commission risks losing many teachers to death through depression if transfers are not going to be handled with care.

The TSC has a well-structured policy document that spells out the objectives, legal framework, pathways and personnel to be involved in the management of teacher transfers.

The commission basically considers the following factors when addressing transfers; age, health, teachers with alternative abilities, promotion, and proximity to the home county.

TSC will also consider school size, the performance of the school, school category as well as family considerations with regard to the teachers’ comfortability, among other factors.

The TSC may further consider transferring a teacher from one institution to another based on the need for equitable distribution and optimal utilization of teachers, availability of a vacancy in the proposed station, the need for replacement, and existing staffing norms which may be reviewed from time to time, medical grounds as certified by a registered medical practitioner and any other grounds that the TSC may consider necessary to warrant the transfer

Teachers may also be transferred under the following circumstances. One, after study leave. A teacher granted study leaves exceeding six months shall apply for posting by the Commission at least 30 days before the expiry of the leave.

Two, after a leave granted to spouses of persons in diplomatic service. A spouse of a person in a diplomatic mission/service shall apply to the commission for posting one month before the end of the assignment of duty.

Three, after disciplinary action like interdiction or suspension for a period not exceeding six months without payment of salaries and allowances. Four, after the transfer of service to the Public Service Commission. The TSC may, where a person applies for transfer of service from the public commission to the TSC, approve the transfer subject to the availability of a vacancy.

Five, after the expiry of tenure at a trade union like the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) and other unions within the teaching profession after a substantive appointment.

Six, a teacher who is promoted and substantively appointed will be redeployed/transferred to another station subject to the availability of posts such as headship, deputy headship, and senior masters. Seven, after posting from a primary to a secondary institution.

Eight, after applying to the commission for transfer on medical grounds with supporting evidence. Nine, when working conditions are hostile and may jeopardize the teacher’s well-being and security, and also if there is a need for equitable distribution and optimal utilization of teachers. Then, when teachers agree among themselves on a tenable swoop request to the TSC.

Sadly, the TSC has either by default or intentionally, chosen not to listen to the requests for transfers as stipulated in their own Teacher Transfer Policy and acting with the necessary speed.

The commission’s acts have prompted her own officers to commercialize and make this particular policy a cash cow. The second most abused and corrupt department at the commission, after the TSC’s accounts, is the transfers department.