Parents to seek approval for secondary school transfers

Secondary school students will no longer be allowed to initiate school transfers without involving the ministry.

The Ministry of Education has released a number of procedures to be followed by the interested students.

According to the new application form dubbed ‘transfer and admissions form’, only learners who use this procedure will be considered.

“No school shall admit a student without a letter of transfer signed by directors of education in the sub-county and county,” the letter reads.

This is different to the past years when students would change schools, without having to involve government stakeholders.

It is understood that this is meant to tame indiscipline learners from changing schools.

“All principals must give release letters to students seeking transfers to other schools stating very clearly the conduct of the student,” the letter reads.

The letter should be signed by the county director of education, sub-county director, director of secondary education and special programs.

“A principal who covers up a student’s conduct shall be held responsible for any subsequent problems,” the letter reads.

Each of these directors has a category of transfer letter to be signed, whether it’s inter-county, inter sub-county or inter-region.

For national school transfers, the director of secondary education and special programs in the ministry will sign the letter.

“Students seeking transfers from one county to another shall be authorized by CDE, for sub-county transfers, SCDE will authorise,” the letter reads.

The ministry has also directed that students send transfer requests for the coming year before October 30.

This means students should apply for transfers in the third term so that by first term they know their fate.

“No transfer shall be carried out in the middle of the year except those under special circumstances,” the letter reads.

This directive also means no students shall be admitted to a new school in the middle of an ongoing school calendar.

“A school that may have a vacancy or vacancies to admit more students shall issue a transfer letter signed by the principal,” the letter reads.

The transfer letter will be sent to the former school to initiate the transfer process.

A sample of a transfer letter seen by the Star has seven slots to be filled by different people.

The first part has students’ details; outlining reasons for transfer, and the second one is to be signed by the receiving principal.

“The receiving principal states if they have a vacancy, if they accept or deny the application,” the letter reads.

The third part is to be filled by the principal of the school releasing the student.

They are expected to submit the learners’ performance, outstanding fees (if any), discipline and willingness to release the student.

From part four, the directors in the Ministry of Education now take over the transfer process.

“SCDE of receiving sub county approving or declining transfer, CDE of receiving county approving or declining application, while stating reasons,” the letter reads.

At the regional level, the RCE of the current county and receiving county will also approve or reject the transfer.

The final part of the application is to be completed by the director of secondary education, at the national level.

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