Officials from two leading teachers’ unions have opposed the transfer of teachers from Turkana County without replacements.

 Leaders of the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) and the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (KESSHA) condemned the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), saying it had transeferred dozens of teachers from Turkana to Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties without adhering to proper procedures.

Adequate replacements

The TSC regional office enforced the transfers of secondary school teachers without ensuring adequate replacements, said KESSHA Turkana secretary Nicodemus Ingolan.

“We wish to bring to the attention of the TSC and the general public that secondary school teachers are being transferred out of Turkana without following the laid-down procedures in the TSC Act,” he said.

“The Rift Valley TSC office has moved teachers to Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet, violating regulations and denying Turkana children their right to education by transferring 40 teachers without replacements,” he said.

Under the TSC Act, Ingolan said, specific criteria must be met before a transfer is approved but many affected teachers had not requested transfers, with the unionist lamenting that the decision was irregular and unfair.

Ingolan said that under TSC rules, a teacher must serve a minimum of five years at a given station before being transferred.

He noted that the county director of education is responsible for acknowledging a transfer request based on a school’s recommendation.

But Ingolan alleged that the TSC regional office failed to adhere to these regulations.

The TSC must immediately replace the transferred teachers with qualified personnel, demanded KUPPET Turkana executive secretary general Michael Ejikon.

Ejikon also noted that some transfers were imposed on teachers without their consent, and the affected teachers were appealing the decisions.

“Teaching is a noble profession, and it should not be politicised,” he said.

Proper procedures

Several teachers, he said, were transferred without following the proper procedures stipulated in the TSC Act.

He faulted the way the transfer letters were issued, adding that KUPPET is a professional body that must safeguard the interests of students.

“We are deeply disappointed because someone at the TSC regional office is creating injustice, and this must be condemned and stopped immediately,” he said.

He emphasised that no teacher should be transferred without a suitable replacement and urged the commission to address the matter and respond within 48 hours.

The TSC should allow teachers to make voluntary transfer requests rather than being forced out, said KUPPET Turkana chairman Areman Simon.

“We will be submitting letters to the relevant offices, supported by public petitions, to demand urgent action,” he said.

“It is wrong to transfer a teacher without their consent. To whoever is signing these letters at the regional office, we are putting you on notice.

“We are ready to go the extra mile to ensure that such individuals are held accountable and that the law is upheld to protect our profession.”