By Gastone Musyoka
The reversal of the delocalization policy by the Ministry of Education is now affecting teachers who had settled and already discharging their duties in new work stations.
Some teachers who had already settled are not at ease with the sudden transfers which they had not requested for while others are happy to return to schools near their homes.
Teachers and other stakeholders in the education sector who were interviewed by the Education News yesterday expressed varied reactions on the policy which was implemented with a view to foster national cohesion but is now being reversed after an outcry from a section of teachers.
Misyani Girls High School Principal, Lucia Robert, says localization of teachers will create a shortage in some schools.
She said most teachers would like to move out of Machakos County where there are no hardship allowances but will not be replaced.
“Teachers who had been transferred from Machakos County where there is no hardship allowance will not want to come back. Most teachers will want to move from Machakos to Kitui but will not be replaced,” she said.
Her counterpart in Matungulu Boys High School, Mr Joseph Makau shares similar views.
He said delocalization was good as teachers working away from their home place directed all their efforts to serving the government rather than being involved in local businesses, farming or local politics.
Mr Makau says with the reversal of delocalization the culture is going to creep back thus affecting academic performance.
“There are many other examples I can cite. The Head teachers working in the schools near their homes had also piled a lot of debts,” said Mr Makau.
He said those with medical condition or were about to retire could be allowed to return to schools near their home while the rest can continue to work wherever they are.
A parent, Mr Peter Mutuku says in most cases, principals who do not come from the locality are likely to improve school performance.
He gives the example Matinyani Secondary School in Kitui which was the best school in lower Eastern region in last year’s Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education examination where the Principal of the school is not a local.
Teachers sign an agreement to be deployed anywhere in the republic of Kenya while being employed.
Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Training Executive Secretary Musembi Katuku says there is nothing wrong with transfers since they have existed since independence.
“Of course these are normal transfers but they have to be done gradually. This is a reversal of delocalization where some teachers felt they had been taken to places far from their homes,” said Mr Katuku, adding that they are not mass transfers as the policy in secondary schools is to transfer teachers where a vacancy exists.
Get more stories from our website: Education News
You can also follow our social media pages on Twitter: Education News KE and Facebook: Education News Newspaper for timely updates.
