MPs now want TSC to reintroduce delocalization policy for teachers

Members of Parliament (MPs) are now urging the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to reinstate the teacher delocalization policy, which involves assigning teachers to work far from their home counties.

This request was made public on Tuesday when TSC CEO Dr. Nancy Macharia appeared before the National Assembly’s Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee to address inquiries regarding teacher recruitment, promotions, and deployment throughout the country.

Macharia faced scrutiny regarding the disparities in teacher distribution among sub-counties during recruitment and promotions. She defended the Commission’s approach, explaining that teacher deployment is determined by equity and necessity.

She informed the lawmakers that it was Parliament that had previously passed a motion requiring the TSC to return newly recruited teachers to their home sub-counties. “You are the lawmakers. We allocate teachers where there are shortages. However, due to public pressure, Parliament mandated that teachers be assigned to their local areas, and we complied,” she said.

MPs advocated for local recruitment combined with national deployment to promote equal opportunities and foster national unity. “Let recruitment be local, but deployment be national. This way, we can democratize opportunities across the board,” they argued.

The teacher delocalization program was a TSC initiative that assigned teachers to work in schools outside their home counties, starting with classroom teachers in 2016, followed by headteachers and principals.

However, the Kenya Kwanza government later abolished the program, and on January 25, 2023, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula declared the delocalization policy illegal due to the lack of parliamentary approval.

In response, the TSC revoked the policy and began transferring teachers back to their home counties. At the regional level, teachers can be moved between counties within the same region, managed by TSC Regional Directors. Nationally, TSC transfer boards oversee the approval of transfers for teachers wishing to move to counties outside their designated regions.

Last year, the Commission issued 11,843 transfer letters to counties after approving transfers for delocalized teachers whose requests had been pending.

The transfer policy ensures that a suitable replacement is available at the teacher’s current station and that there is a vacancy at the desired location before approving a transfer request. Before a transfer is finalized, the TSC verifies that there are appropriate vacancies, replacements, and a balanced staff distribution.

Former Education CS Mr Ezekiel Machogu when he appeared in Parliament in June noted that TSC, in the exercise of its mandate to transfer and post teachers, it has “to ensure equitable distribution and optimal utilisation of teachers in all public basic education institutions to ensure that learners throughout the country have access to quality education as required by Article 43 of the Constitution.”

“Teachers who wish to be considered for transfer from one institution to another must submit a request. The transfer of teachers from one institution to another will be guided by the need for equitable distribution and optimum utilisation of teachers,” the former CS said.

Other transfer criteria include the availability of vacancies in the proposed station, the need for replacement, existing staffing norms, medical reasons or other reasons that the TSC may consider.

Delocalized teachers can check the online TSC transfer application portal on the status of their applied transfers.

Successful teachers will have to visit their TSC County offices to pick their transfer letters and report to their new station in January.

To minimize disruptions to school activities the Commission approves transfer of delocalized teachers in December only.

TERMS RELATED TO TSC ONLINE TRANSFER YOU SHOULD KNOW

Pending: This is displayed once the teacher’s application is successfully delivered awaiting remarks from respective supervisors.

Acknowledged: This is displayed if the teacher is eligible for transfer and awaiting the availability of vacancy and or the teacher’s suitable replacement.

Not Approved: This is same as when the teacher’s request is regretted. This is applicable if the teacher has not met conditions set as per the transfer policy for example having not served in the current station for a period of not less than five years since first appointment, lack of suitable replacement or vacancy.

Approved: This is displayed after the transfer committee approves the teachers transfer request. The teachers transfer letter is then issued through the Principal in the case of post primary institutions and through the County Director in the case of primary school.

When a transfer request is withdrawn it simply means it was not successful or was successful and a new one can now be placed.