The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has announced a policy shift aimed at ending the practice of transferring teachers after they gain promotion, a move expected to bring relief to thousands of teachers across the country.
The chairperson of the TSC Dr Jamleck Muturi confirmed that the teacher’s employer will no longer have to transfer newly-promoted teachers, as has been the long-standing norm. Instead, the commission will adopt a new policy that prioritizes stability and continuity in schools.
There have been cases where teachers are promoted and then transferred to far away work stations. However, Dr Muturi said future promotions will be guided by a matrix that considers, teacher welfare, comfort and health.
"We will now be considering the teachers' welfare, health and other aspects to ensure that you are comfortable. Is that okay? That is what we are doing," Dr Muturi explained.
He noted that the new policy was agreed upon through the guidance of the TSC commissioners and the acting Chief Executive Officer, Ms Eveleen Mitei.
The Teachers Service Commission Acting CEO Eveleen Mitei.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Previously, many teachers saw promotions tied to transfers, often far from their families this forced others to turn down the promotions. It mainly affected teachers promoted to administrative positions. However, the new approach is expected to bring relief to thousands of educators, particularly in rural and marginalised regions.
“TSC has its roles and functions properly stipulated, one among them, which is key is the registration of teachers. Once a teacher has been trained, we register them but they must have met the minimum requirement as per our legal instruments,” said Dr Muturi.
Dr Muturi said TSC is also mandated to promote and transfer teachers. While the policy curbs ‘unnecessary’ transfers, Dr Muturi clarified that some transfers remain unavoidable due to constitutional mandates.
151,000 teachers promoted
"When teachers are promoted, they are taken to institutions where vacancies are available. If you have been promoted to be a head of an institution and the school you are in already has a head, we cannot transfer the head who is there so that you are retained there. We take you to where there is work," he explained.
Dr Muturi also highlighted the government's investment in teacher career advancement, crediting the Kenya Kwanza administration for budgetary support.
"Since President [William] Ruto came to power in 2022, we have been able to promote 151,000 teachers through competitive and common cadre promotion," Dr Muturi stated.
Teachers Service Commission (TSC) headquarters in Upper Hill, Nairobi.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
He further urged the National Assembly Education Committee to push for an additional one billion shillings to promote more teachers as promised by the President.
TSC expects to finalise the promotion of another 21,313 teachers who recently completed their interviews by the end of January, bringing the total promotions under the current administration to over 171,000.
“This means within three years of President Ruto’s tenure, he will have assisted 171, 000 teachers being promoted. When we get the extra billion, we will have more teachers being promoted. Those head teachers who will have qualified to go for D1 will have gotten it by end of January thereabout,” added Dr Muturi.
This is a reprieve to thousands of teachers who have been pushing for abolishment of the delocalisation policy.
Some of the teachers who spoke to Nation said the move is welcome as it will ensure families are no longer separated. Others said those who are sick will continue with their medication at the present environment without interruptions.
“I was promoted from a senior teacher to a deputy head teacher and subsequently transferred from Mombasa to Kwale. I had to turn down the offer because I could not leave my young family. This is a good policy, we congratulate TSC, this is very good,” said the senior teacher from Mombasa.
