According to the act governing the teachers’ body (TSC), it has the sole responsibility of approving transfer of teachers to different schools in various regions within the country. When primary and secondary school teachers submit their applications for transfers, these applications are not always approved, therefore we’ve designed a simple guide illustrating on why some of these applications are denied by the Teachers Service Commission.
As mentioned earlier, it can be confusing for some teachers not knowing exactly why their applications have been denied which makes it imperative to understand how the TSC prioritizes the well-being of students and teachers and in this process might not grant desired expectations when it comes to teacher transfers.
Here are four common reasons why the TSC might deny a teacher transfer request:
1. Minimum Service Requirement
It’s important to understand the threshold under which a teacher qualifies to request for transfer from a certain school. As it is the norm, teachers can only apply for a transfer after being assigned to a school for more than five years. This applies to both within-county and inter-county transfers. Requests submitted before completing the minimum service period are likely to be rejected by the TSC.
2. Lack of Compelling Reasons
The teacher’s employer typically verifies the validity of the reasons provided for a transfer request. The TSC is less likely to approve transfers without a strong justification.
3. School Staffing Needs
The school principal or administrator also plays a critical role in the transfer process. They have the authority to approve or reject transfers based on the school’s staffing needs. Schools facing teacher shortages may refuse to sign transfer documents if they cannot find a suitable replacement immediately. In such cases, the transfer request will be put on hold until a suitable replacement is found.
4. Difficulty Finding a Replacement
Take a scenario where all teachers want to work in places that have better living conditions and amenities, it would be very difficult for the TSC to find qualified teachers in places that are considered not so good. For this reason, in some instances the Teachers Service Commission might require teachers to swap places. And if a teacher cannot find another teacher willing to swap positions, the commission may delay or deny the transfer request altogether.
Therefore, beyond the personal preferences, teacher transfers are also based on the knowledge and skills a teacher brings to the table.