The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has rolled out a new framework to guide teacher transfers across Kenya’s 32,000 public schools, placing emphasis on fairness, medical considerations and uninterrupted learning.
According to the Commission, the revised policy will now be anchored on available vacancies, equitable staffing, and verified medical grounds. This move is designed to seal loopholes that have in the past been exploited through questionable medical records.
Appearing before the Senate Education Committee, TSC Director of Staffing Antonina Lentoijoni explained that the transfer process will balance school vacancies, fair distribution of teachers and legitimate medical cases.
“Teachers may seek transfers on medical grounds, but applications must be supported by reports from registered doctors and validated by school heads and county or sub-county directors,” she said. “Local supervisors know the teachers better than we do at headquarters, and their input helps us confirm the authenticity of medical cases.”
Lentoijoni noted that some teachers, particularly those stationed in hardship areas such as Mandera, have in the past presented questionable medical records to secure transfers. She said verification from field officers is now critical before any action is taken.
Committee chairperson Betty Montet underscored the importance of a recent TSC retreat in Mombasa, which focused on teacher recruitment, staffing policies and the transfer framework.
The Commission has also launched a pilot e-transfer module to increase transparency and efficiency in teacher deployment. Acting TSC CEO Evaleen Mitei said the upgraded system comes with automated matching and swap functionalities, mandatory service tenure and real-time notifications, in line with the commission’s constitutional mandate.
Under the new system, teachers can apply for transfers or swaps digitally. While the five-year service rule remains, exceptions allow applications after three years in special cases. If no match is found within 90 days, the search is automatically extended, and after 180 days a regret letter is issued. Approved transfers will generate digital letters sent directly to institutions, streamlining the process further.
The reforms, TSC says, will help build a fairer and more transparent transfer system that safeguards the welfare of teachers while ensuring minimal disruption to learning across the country.
