MASSIVE DELOCALIZATION OF SCHOOL HEADS TO BE EXECUTED BEFORE THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF SCHOOLS IN JANUARY, 2020: DECEMBER 2020 TSC OFFICIAL DELOCALIZATION DATES
TSC IN FRESH BATTLE WITH KNUT OVER THE IMPENDING MASSIVE TRANSFER OF SCHOOL HEADS WORKING IN THEIR HOME AREAS, HERE ARE KEY DETAILS
A fresh row between the Teachers Service Commission, TSC and the Kenya Union of Teachers, KNUT has emerged following the upcoming mass transfer of heads working within their home areas.
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On Monday, December 2 2019 KNUT vowed to fight the planned transfers which will be implemented before the official opening of schools in January 2020.
TSC MASSIVE TRANSFERS OF SCHOOL HEADS
The Teachers Service Commission has already compiled a list of principals and primary school headteachers who are likely to be transferred to work away from their home counties.
Details from this year’s heads’ meeting in Mombasa indicate that the TSC began compiling the list in June 2019.
SOSSION ON DELOCALIZATION: TEACHING IS AN ETHICAL AND CULTURAL PROCESS
Yesterday, KNUT Secretary General Mr Wilson Sossion strongly opposed the planned delocalization of school administrators saying that teaching is an ethical and cultural process hence the decision to move teachers was completely misguided.
He further added that the Teachers Service Commission cannot solve a political problem in Kenya, that is tribalism through teachers.
Session said that delocalization was a retrogressive policy which has made several teachers resign from the commission and others deserting their duties.
Sossion further urged the Commission to have teachers from within the community to take up leadership positions in schools within their home counties since they better understand the local language and culture especially now that the Competence-Based Curriculum has been rolled out.
DELOCALIZATION
The delocalization of TSC teachers begun in January 2018 with the highest number of transfers being witnessed in April and August 2018. This led to a lot of disruptions given that the academic year was not yet over.
The TSC this year however plans to conduct the delocalization in December to avoid disruptions.
TSC BOSS DR NANCY MACHARIA ON DELOCALIZATION
The Teachers Service Commission Boss Dr Nancy Macharia who is set to address the heads today has defended the delocalization policy saying it will improve efficiency and effective administration of Kenyan public schools.
She further added that heads cannot serve in their home Counties or one school for more than 9 years.
According to the delocalization policy, deputy heads will also not be spared.
Deputy headteachers or deputy principals who have served in the same institution for over 6 years will also be transferred.
TEACHERS WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM DELOCALIZATION
According to the Teachers Service Commission, only teachers with chronic illnesses or those aged 56 and above will be spared.
The Government is also in support of the delocalization policy since it will eventually address the shortage of teachers in some parts of the country especially hardship areas.
MORE TSC DECEMBER 2019 DELOCALIZATION NEWS
The TSC is set to delocalize school heads and other school administrators in November/ December, 2019.
In June 2019, the Teachers Service Commission directed all county Directors to collect data on school administrators in readiness for the transfers.
This was done through a memo dated 27th June, 2019 by Dr Dorothy Owuor, the TSC Deputy Director in charge of Staffing.
The Teachers Service Commission is consequently analyzing data for principals serving within their home counties and those who have served in the same school for over nine years.
The TSC is set to delocalize school heads and other school administrators in November/ December, 2019.
In June 2019, the Teachers Service Commission directed all county Directors to collect data on school administrators in readiness for the transfers.
This was done through a memo dated 27th June, 2019 by Dr Dorothy Owuor, the TSC Deputy Director in charge of Staffing.
The Teachers Service Commission is consequently analyzing data for principals serving within their home counties and those who have served in the same school for over nine years.
The Commission received the data at the headquarters in Nairobi by 8th July 2019.
NO DELOCALIZATION
Dr Nancy Macharia, the TSC Chief Executive Officer, has confirmed that teachers with medical conditions will not be affected by the delocalization process.
Teachers who have attained the age of 56 years will also be spared.
According to private sources, the TSC is finalizing the transfer letters for the heads who have been affected by the exercise.
The letters will be dispatched in late November or early December.
THE RATIONALE BEHIND THE DELOCALIZATION PROCESS
According to the TSC, delocalization is being undertaken due to the following reasons:
1. To fill the slots of principals and heads who have attained the mandatory retirement age. This means deputy principals and deputy heads with the required qualifications and outstanding performance will be promoted and transferred to their new stations of work. Some principals have also been transferred to fill the vacancies left to better performance and utilize the experience they have garnered in their new work stations.
2. To strengthen management in some learning institutions as per the recommendations of the standards and assessment reports.
3. To implement the policy which regulates the appointment of institutional administrators. According to the policy, administrators who have served for too long should be transferred to enable the new work stations tap into their wide experience.
NEW DELOCALIZATION DATES
The Teachers Service Commission in April transferred few school administrators to avoid disruption of curriculum implementation.
The Commission now prefers delocalizing Administrators in December as opposed to August and April to facilitate a smooth transition and reduce disruptions.
KNUT has vehemently opposed the massive delocalization exercise saying it should be carried out
