Why teachers want transfers stopped

By Ramadhan Rajab and Joseph Masha

The Kenya Primary School Heads Association has once again protested against transfers of head teachers.

Chairman Joseph Karuga termed the move unacceptable and meant to hoodwink parents on the missing Free Primary Education funds.

He spoke as 80 primary school heads in Nairobi filed a protest letter to the Ministry of Education urging it to revoke the transfers, saying they are victims of circumstances.

"Transfers are normal if done in a right way. But when done in a punitive way and in masses, we reject it as it is demoralising," said Mr Karuga.

He added: "If transfers have to be made one has to be appraised first and given an explanation on why he or she is being shifted. It also should be done in consultation with stakeholders."

In Nairobi, where there are 200 school heads, 80 of them were transferred. The teachers also questioned the timing and manner of the transfers, saying they are being punished for mistakes of the ministry heads.

"Even if it is a punishment for the misuse of FPE funds it should go beyond the transfers and the people who should be held accountable first should be the minister and his PS not the head teachers," said Karuga.

Mass exercise

Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Secretary-General Lawrence Majali also called for a stop to the 1,500 head teachers’ transfer, until the FPE scandal is investigated fully.

"Transfers are meant to improve education standards and this should be the main purpose," he said.

Meanwhile, Knut wants the Government to hire about 3,000 teachers in Bahari and Ganze districts.

Knut branch Executive Secretary Patrick Rasi said this would improve performance of local schools in national examinations.

Mr Rasi said shortage of primary and secondary school teachers led to poor performance in national examinations.

Speaking to The Standard in his office yesterday, he said the Government had not employed teachers for the last two years, yet more students are being enrolled in schools.

"Last year, the Government opened about 40 new schools in the two districts but the number of teachers remained the same," he said.