The Cabinet Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Hon. Ezekiel Machogu, has informed the Senate that the transfer of Teachers will be guided by the Provisions of the Code of Regulations and not the Delocalization Policy. 

The Delocalization Policy required the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to transfer teachers to teach in areas outside their place of origin in an attempt to deter conflict of interest in the administration of public schools. 

While appearing before the Senate Plenary earlier today, CS Machogu informed the Honorable Senators that the Government entered into a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Teachers' Unions to abolish the policy since teachers were complaining that they were being forced to work away from their families.

"In July 2021, during negotiations of the Collective Bargaining Agreement with teacher unions, the Government agreed to abolish the delocalization programme. Accordingly, teachers who wish to be considered for transfer from one station to another are required to make such application to the TSC," Hon. Machogu said. 

However, the Education CS cautioned that the transfer of teachers from one station to another was not automatic since the Commission has guidelines which it considers before approving the transfer requests. 

"The transfer of teachers from one institution to another is guided by the need for equitable distribution and optimal utilization of teachers, availability of vacancy in the proposed station, the need for replacement, existing staffing norms, and justifiable medical grounds," Added the Education Cabinet Secretary. 

On the same breathe, CS Machogu poured cold water on the criticism by some quarters on the need for the Grade Six Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA) saying that the assessment was necessary to inform on the transition of learners to Junior Secondary School and to guide stakeholders on possible policy interventions for Upper Primary School.

 "The purpose of KPSEA is to establish the level of mastery of competencies among learners in the various learning areas. This is in line with the recommendation of the Presidential Working Party On Education Reform," the Education CS said. 

Hon. Ezekiel Machogu was appearing before the Senate to answer questions asked by the Senators regarding his Ministry.