TSC transfers: Head teachers beat retreat, back planned transfers

Head teachers during the 15th annual Kenya Primary School Headteachers Association (KEPSHA) at the Kenya School of Revenue Authority. [Gideon Maundu/Standard]

Primary school head teachers yesterday beat a retreat and backed their imminent transfers and the Government’s centralised coursebook procurement system.

The head teachers who concluded their four-day meeting in Mombasa yesterday, however, called for payment of house allowances for teachers in the former municipality schools.

On delocalisation, the teachers resolved to support the policy on transfers by Teacher Service Commission (TSC), but said the impending move to news schools should consider one's age, health and family.

They also dropped the demand for reversal of the centralised text book procurement and instead called on the Government to ensure course materials arrive in schools in time. 

The teachers also called on the Government to review examination policy to accommodate challenges of students who fall ill or deliver babies during examination period.

On Wednesday, Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association chairman Kahi Indimuli said candidates who give birth or fall ill during exams should be allowed to sit supplementary exams.

Yesterday the teachers also called on the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Lands to hasten the issuance of title deeds to public schools to end the problem of encroachments.

In their resolution, they also called on TSC to promote deputy head teachers and senior teachers they claimed have remained in the same job group for long.

“We also call on the ministry to explore the possibilities of recruiting account clerks an all public primary schools,” stated one of the resolution.  

They also called for TSC to address the teacher shortage in schools.

“Teacher Performance Appraisal and Development tool should be simplified for easy operationalisation,” it said.

Key policies

On Monday, the head teachers joined the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) to push for suspension of the two policies, noting they were misguided and aimed to frustrate their work.

TSC chairperson Lydia Nzomo and her Chief Executive Officer Nancy Macharia, who were scheduled to address the teachers on Tuesday and Wednesday, failed to show up.

The conference was officially opened by Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha on Wednesday, who also dismissed Knut’s demands and threats of calling for a strike in January.