Uproar over mass transfer of teachers

By MUNENE KAMAU

KIRINYAGA, KENYA: A high-level crisis meeting is scheduled for Thursday at the office of the Kirinyaga County Director of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) following uproar over mass transfers of teachers in the area.

The transfers were effected just a day after the impressive Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) examination results were released, with Kirinyaga Central District posting the best.

Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari, who is among the stakeholders to attend the meeting, has since urged the TSC to put on hold the transfers until the matter is sorted out.

Others to attend the meeting are the TSC County Director Justina Kyanga, some school management committee members and the county Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut)  officials led by the executive secretary Harrison Gichira.

“It beats every logic to see over 30 teachers  from a district which made our county shine in the whole republic after posting impressive KCPE results being transferred massively. I wonder if this is how those who perform well are rewarded,” he said.

The most affected schools are St Joseph and Kangaita where 12 teachers have been transferred, with each school losing six teachers.

Others affected are Thaita (four), Mugwandi (three), Kiranja (two), Karaini (four), Kiamuruga (two)   while St Michael Girls primary’s deputy head teacher has been transferred to Machakos County.

Parents from St Michael Girls Boarding Primary School have however vowed to block the transfer.

“We are demanding that if  the deputy school head is to go,  then  the head teacher should also be  transferred as well in order that we have a new beginning or else we shall  storm there and eject  her out,” said a parent who chose to remain anonymous.

County Director of Education Joseph Nyaga confirmed the Thursday meeting and added that the affected teachers should not despair as their cases could be reviewed.

An education official based in the area is said to be working in cohorts with some school heads to frustrate teachers, an allegation Nyaga said will also be investigated.