Panic as TSC moves 24 senior directors

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has reshuffled some 20 county directors and recalled four to the head office.

The Standard established that the transfer letters were issued Wednesday on the sidelines of a planning meeting held at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD).

Among the affected counties were Tharaka Nithi, Isiolo, Kajiado, Embu, Nyamira, Vihiga, Taita Taveta, Mombasa, Kakamega, Trans Nzoia, Siaya, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Nakuru, Nandi, Meru and Kiambu.

The development comes weeks after The Standard reported a growing panic among the 47 county directors, as the employer called for applications for nearly half the slots.

Communication from TSC in April was specific that persons seeking to take up the 20 slots must be of job group P and above.

The April advert said potential candidates must have bachelor's degree in education from recognised universities.

The new recruits were also to fill up two of the counties; Kericho and Meru, that fell vacant.

Some directors who spoke to The Standard Wednesday said talks of redeployment and sacking had been lingering for a while but no formal communication had been made.

"Some of them were ambushed. They did not see it coming. They were shocked. They even forgot what the meeting was all about," said one director. Sources at the commission said the reshuffle was meant to remove some directors from their comfort zones.