The Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Kisumu City Branch has called upon the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to exercise fairness and compassion while effecting teacher transfers.
Branch Executive Secretary David Obuon said it is unfair to transfer teachers who are only a few years away from retirement to far-flung areas.
Speaking in Kisumu after a meeting between school heads and officers from the Teachers Service Commission, Obuon suggested that there should be extensive stakeholder engagement before teachers are transferred to new stations.
Obuon questioned the rationale behind transferring teachers with only two years remaining before retirement to remote areas.
He said many teachers subjected to such treatment are currently battling mental health challenges.
The Executive Secretary, who was accompanied by branch chairman Mr. Evans Dola, noted that arbitrary transfers have led to conflict in some learning institutions.
At the same time, he expressed concern over the high turnover of education directors within a span of six years.
Obuon noted that several county TSC directors have been transferred from Kisumu County and other areas at an alarming rate.
He said the transfers have disrupted school programmes.
Obuon further lamented that Kisumu West currently has no TSC director.
He urged parents not to eject heads of institutions, but instead called for dialogue to resolve underlying issues.
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Dola said senior school heads who have been transferred to smaller schools feel demoralized and underutilized.
He also urged parents, students, and other stakeholders not to attack teachers.
By Fredrick Odiero
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