The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has moved over 2,600 classroom in its new reshuffle.
These include both primary and secondary school heads.
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Most of the affected heads, as per one media house, are said to have stayed long in their former schools.
Others who have been transferred had barely two years in their previous stations after having been moved from their home counties, and before the reshuffle.
The move has also seen various deputy heads promoted to principals and headmasters.
Earlier this month, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) vowed to oppose any attempts by TSC to transfer headteachers working in their home schools.
Transfer letters for the primary heads are already in circulation since Monday. Those affected should report in their new stations as from next week.
Among those affected are 1,010 secondary school heads and 1,621 primary school heads.
Earlier on, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) had urged TSC to ensure that the transfers were conducted in a humane way.
Kuppet said that they fully supported the move, but it would be advisable for several factors to be considered.
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed by the commission and the unions earlier had reversed some of the transfers that separated Teachers’ families.
Under CBA, re-uniting and keeping families together is one of the objectives while making transfers.
The commission has now made it a priority to consider transfer of couples who are teachers, where there is a vacancy, provided they check the boxes for all the requirements.
Collins Oyuu, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) secretary said that this is one of the major pluses in the conflicted non-monetary CBA.
He added that in most transfers, families have mostly suffered. In addition, he mentioned that families that had been separated earlier will now be re-united once the deal is implemented.
Below are the conditions under which a teacher will be affected;
If a teacher has worked in a station for more than five years
When a teacher had pressed the request to be transferred under some medical conditions certified by a medic
The need for equitable distribution and optimal utilization of teachers.
Availability of a teaching vacancy in the proposed station.
The need for replacement
The existing staffing norms which may be reviewed from time to time
Other grounds that the TSC may consider necessary to warrant the transfer
General Akello Misori, the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) secretary said that re-uniting families is a major reprieve. He also added that bringing these teachers back together, with some of them facing retirement, is a good move. Some also have major health issues and bringing them to their families is a trophy move.
According to TSC, delocalization is part of the government’s move to enhance national cohesion and boost professionalism and commitment in the teaching profession.
Following the cries from the affected teachers earlier this year, President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the Ministry of Education to review the TSC policy on mass transfers. “I am aware that delocalization has created some unforeseen challenges that have affected some teachers,” said the president.
TSC had also promised to start mass transfer of classroom teachers soon before the end of this year. The exercise had experienced delays due to covid 19 but it has now been done.
Among the factors raised included age, marital status, health, as well as other concerns which might affect teachers socially.