The Ministry of Education has issued strict guidelines on student transfers in Kericho County to curb indiscipline and unprocedural admissions. Learn the rules, deadlines, and penalties for non-compliance.
The Ministry of Education, State Department for Basic Education, has issued a stern warning to principals and school heads in Kericho County against engaging in unprocedural transfer and admission of students. In a circular dated 30th September 2025, the County Director of Education, Mr. Julius A. Ngoneshi, emphasized that principals must strictly follow the laid-out transfer procedures or risk being held accountable for violations.
According to the circular, no school is allowed to admit a student without a duly signed letter of transfer authorized by the relevant education officers. Depending on the level of transfer, the approval process varies:
- Within the same Sub-County – Authorization by the Sub-County Director of Education (SCDE).
- From one County to another – Authorization by the County Director of Education (CDE).
- From one Region to another – Authorization by the CDE with a recommendation from the Regional Director of Education (RDE).
- From one National School to another – Authorization by the Director of Secondary Education and Special Programmes.
The Ministry stressed that all principals must release letters clearly indicating a student’s conduct when approving a transfer. Principals who conceal disciplinary records will be personally held responsible for any future misconduct by the student in their new school.
Additionally, schools with vacancies are required to issue official transfer letters, signed by the principal, to initiate the process. All transfer requests for the coming academic year must be submitted by 30th October of the preceding year, with mid-year transfers prohibited except under special circumstances.
The directive comes after it was noted that some principals have been flouting the guidelines by admitting students who were suspended or involved in strikes in their previous schools. According to the Ministry, some of these students pose serious disciplinary challenges that should have been addressed by their respective Boards of Management (BoM) rather than transferring the problem to another institution.
The County Director of Education has made it clear that such practices undermine discipline in schools and disrupt learning environments. By enforcing stricter measures, the Ministry aims to maintain accountability, ensure fair placement of learners, and curb indiscipline that threatens the quality of education.
For parents, the new guidelines mean stricter timelines and more documentation before a transfer can be approved. Schools, on the other hand, must carefully evaluate transfer requests and ensure transparency when releasing conduct reports. This move will also discourage students from switching schools as a way of escaping disciplinary consequences.
The new directive by the Ministry of Education in Kericho County is a clear reminder that discipline and order in schools are paramount. By centralizing and tightening the transfer process, the Ministry seeks to promote accountability, fairness, and a conducive learning environment for all students. Principals and parents alike are urged to strictly adhere to these rules to avoid penalties and disruptions in the education system.
