Tsc Finalizes Teacher Transfers As Schools Prepare To Reopen In January 2025
As schools approach reopening for the first term, the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has finalized 14,613 teacher transfers to address staffing needs across the country. TSC offices at county and sub-county levels have issued transfer letters to affected teachers, including delocalized educators and local school administrators.
Transfer Breakdown
- Primary School Transfers: 10,934 (including 189 deputies and 1,948 headteachers)
- Secondary School Transfers: 1,316 (including 226 principals)
- Regional-Level Transfers: 12,019
- Inter-Regional Transfers: 2,594
These transfers aim to ensure equitable teacher distribution and minimize disruptions during the school term.
Delocalized Teachers and Policy Reversal
The delocalization policy, introduced in 2016, mandated teachers to work outside their home counties. However, the policy was repealed on January 25, 2023, following a ruling by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, deeming it illegal due to the lack of parliamentary approval.
TSC has since prioritized transferring delocalized teachers back to their home counties. By December, 11,843 transfer requests from delocalized teachers were approved. Teachers whose transfers were processed can now collect their letters from TSC county offices.
Transfer Policy and Criteria
The TSC transfer policy ensures that:
- Suitable Replacements are available in the current station.
- Vacancies exist in the preferred station.
- The teacher has served at their current station for at least five years.
- Equitable Distribution of teachers aligns with the constitutional right to quality education.
Other considerations include medical conditions, staffing norms, and specific needs identified by TSC.
Online Transfer Portal
Teachers can track their transfer applications through the TSC online portal, with status updates displayed as:
- Pending: Application received and awaiting supervisor review.
- Acknowledged: Eligible for transfer; awaiting vacancy or replacement.
- Not Approved: Application declined due to unmet conditions.
- Approved: Transfer request approved; letters issued through TSC offices.
Key Challenges and Observations
Despite the approvals, a significant backlog persists. As of June last year, 46,926 teachers had requested transfers, but only 20,055 were approved. A lack of suitable placements continues to delay some applications.
Former Education CS Ezekiel Machogu emphasized that TSC’s transfer mandate aims to optimize teacher utilization and ensure nationwide access to quality education.
Next Steps for Teachers
Successful applicants are urged to collect their transfer letters promptly and report to their new stations in January. Teachers are reminded that any withdrawn applications are open for reapplication.
For more information, visit the TSC transfer portal or contact your county’s TSC office.
