All teachers have a reason to smile after tsc now responds to their requests. Teachers are now happy after the long awaited nationwide mass transfer of teachers looms .This is has been triggered by teachers unions who secured a deal to reunite families that had been separated by delocalisation.
Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed between unions and the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has now reversed some of the transfers that separated families.
This is With the aim of improving on family values, the commission has now agreed to consider requests for transfer of couples who are teachers, subject to availability of vacancies among other requirements.
The Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Collins Oyuu said that this is one of the major gains in the CBA that has been criticised for lacking a money component.
He added that Families have suffered in most of the transfer cases. He added that the families that were moved apart due to the transfers will now be reunited once the TSC starts to implement the deal.
The exercise is likely to affect teachers under the following conditions:
- Those who have worked in a station for more than five years
- Those who had pressed the request to be transferred under some medical conditions certified by a medical practitioner.
- The need for equitable distribution and optimal utilization of teachers.
- Availability of a teaching vacancy in the proposed station.
- The need for replacement
- .The existing staffing norms which may be reviewed from time to time.
- Other grounds that the TSC may consider necessary to warrant the transfer.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) Secretary-General Akelo Misori said that reuniting families will be a major reprieve.
Additionally, Mr. Misori added that Some of these teachers are nearing retirement,bringing them close to each other will be a good move. Some are also having health issues and being close to family is a major win.
Early before,the Knut had opposed delocalisation policy that aimed at evenly distributing teachers countrywide through transfers.
According to TSC, delocalization has been part of the government’s move to enhance national cohesion and bolster professionalism and commitment in the teaching profession.
Under the last transfer exercises, Secondary school heads were the most affected by the exercise that began on January 1, 2018.
Appearing before the National Assembly Education Committee then, TSC Chief Executive Nancy Macharia told MPs that the transfers would be implemented gradually until all the objectives of the reforms were fully realised
Following an outcry from teachers affected, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Ministry of Education to review the TSC policy on mass transfers.“I am aware that delocalisation has created some unforeseen challenges that have affected some teachers,” said Uhuru.
The Tsc has assured teachers that it is soon starting the postponed mass transfer of teachers countrwide.
TSC has promised to start mass transfer of classroom teachers Soon before the end of this year. The experienced delays have been experienced due to covid 19 that saw the exercise suspended for sometime
