TSC approves Over 12,000 Delocalized Teacher Transfers.
TSC approves Over 12,000 Delocalized Teacher Transfers.
The transfer of 11,843 delocalized teachers has been formally approved by the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), which is a big step for educators who are ready to go back to their home areas. Transfer letters can now be picked up from the offices of the TSC County Directors.
Months of preparation and deliberation went into this choice. With a December evaluation in mind, teachers were encouraged to submit their requests as early as September 2024.
In order to prevent interfering with school activities, the approvals were timed to coincide with the national exams.
To preserve school operations and guarantee that tests continue without interruption, TSC has made a significant adjustment by processing transfer applications only once a year.
When classes resume in January 2025, teachers whose transfers were approved are anticipated to report to their new institutions.
After the contentious delocalization policy that was established in 2016 was repealed, this yearly approval mechanism was put into place. There was strong criticism to the now-defunct program, which required teachers to work outside of their home counties.
Due to a lack of parliamentary consent, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula ruled it unlawful in January 2023. Even Nevertheless, there are still obstacles in the way of TSC’s efforts to move teachers back to their desired locations.
Not all of the 26,871 teachers who have applied for transfers back to their home counties will be granted them right away. Aligning requests with open positions is the main obstacle.
Due to the restricted number of opportunities, some teachers will have to wait longer, even though more than 20,000 were reallocated in previous rounds.
For example, TSC had authorized 20,055 of the 46,926 pending petitions by the middle of 2023. While appropriate opportunities were found, the remaining teachers were advised to exercise patience.
The national and regional boards of TSC are in charge of the transfer procedure. Cross-county or national transfers are managed at a higher administrative level, whilst intra-county transfers are handled by Regional Directors.
How TSC Decides on Transfers
The allocation of transfers is highly structured. Former Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu highlighted the importance of fairness and efficiency in distributing teachers across schools.
As per his statement to Parliament, “Teacher transfers are guided by the principles of equitable distribution and optimal workforce utilization.”
Key factors TSC considers during transfer approvals include:
- Vacancies: Whether there is an open position at the requested school.
- Replacements: Ensuring the teacher’s current school can find a replacement.
- Staffing Norms: Maintaining workforce balance in both schools.
- Exceptional Circumstances: Special cases such as medical needs.
By adhering to these principles, TSC aims to balance teacher requests with operational requirements.
Checking Your Transfer Application
Teachers who have applied for transfers can monitor their application’s status via TSC’s online portal. Applications are categorized as follows:
- Pending: Awaiting feedback from TSC.
- Acknowledged: Qualified, but a vacancy or replacement has not been confirmed yet.
- Not Approved: Request did not meet the required criteria, possibly due to insufficient years at the current station or other restrictions.
- Approved: Transfer confirmed—teachers can now collect their transfer letters.
If your application was denied, there’s still an opportunity to reapply during the next cycle or wait for new vacancies. For those approved, collect the transfer letter promptly to prepare for the move in January.
The abolition of the delocalization policy marked a turning point in prioritizing teachers’ needs.
Although the policy aimed to promote diversity by mixing teacher experiences across counties, it caused considerable stress for many educators, both professionally and personally.
By facilitating transfers in phases, TSC is helping teachers reconnect with their families and communities. For those preparing to move in January 2025, this transition symbolizes not just a workplace change but a fresh start.
While challenges remain in addressing all pending requests, progress is evident, paving the way for a future where teachers can operate where they feel most connected and effective.
TSC approves Over 12,000 Delocalized Teacher Transfers.
