The Teachers Service Commission, TSC, has released a list of new factors to be considered when transferring teachers. Among the many factors that the Commission has indicated as fundamental considerations in the transfer of teachers is how to solve staffing imbalances in various regions.

These factors are not only objective but also subjective and considerate of the individual circumstances of the affected teachers.

Age is the first factor to base the placement of this teacher.

Also, teachers aged 56 years and above have an exception from moving out of the areas within which they station their immediate works.This is to prevent stressing out teachers who are soon retiring.

Next is the health situation of the teacher. Teachers who have medical documents proving terminal illness are exempted from being transferred out of that sub-county for that reason only.

In any given case, the individual shall have specific treatments available to him or her; however, the kind of regard should be given in such a manner at the time of the allocation of funds.

This is meant to give precedence to things for which appropriate documented facilities of the proposed station would be made available and accessible, among other factors.

Each case would be treated as an independent entity which would prevail based on medical evidence; geographical aspects would include that for which documented facilities for the proposed station would be provided and made accessible, among other things.

The TSC gives preferential treatment to teachers living with disabilities.

The transfer of such teachers is restricted in that no movement can occur to a station or sub-county different from their current assignment, barring such actions from being effective in holding in abeyance their particular needs.

In prioritizing the transfers of teachers, those within the Sub-County that are experiencing shortages are given priority before issuing any transfers outside the Sub-County. This ensures that the teachers demanded locally are met first.

Family background factors into this consideration also. If both spouses are employees of TSC and have duly declared their marriage status, they should be relocated next to each other in as much as it is a feasible option.

Another very important factor in this case would include the period since the first appointment.

Teachers who have not served in a station for three years, while those in specified areas such as North Eastern must have served five years, are not considered qualified for transfer unless one has permission from the Commission Secretary.

Also given priority under the established criteria were teachers seeking transfer and who met the requirements.

The Commission has extra considerations regarding where a teacher meets the criteria for transfer, like the “first in, first out” element, balance in gender, and security for the teacher if applicable.

These last conditions aim at promoting fairness, gender equity, and safety for the teachers during transfers.

The TSC aims at holistic management of teacher transfer that takes into consideration both the personal and professional needs of teachers.