Government Blocks Teacher Transfers for Exam Classes
The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has put a stop to the transfer of teachers handling examination classes, in a move aimed at protecting pupils’ academic performance. Education Minister Torerayi Moyo said the decision was made to ensure that learners preparing for major exams are not left without proper guidance due to sudden staff changes.
This announcement comes after a sharp rise in transfer requests, especially from teachers based in rural areas who want to relocate to towns and cities.
New Bonding System for First-Time Teachers
The Ministry is also tightening its grip on teacher movements by introducing bonding agreements for newly hired teachers. Depending on the location, teachers could be bonded for up to five years before becoming eligible for transfer. The rule is stricter in remote and disadvantaged districts, where staffing shortages are a bigger concern.
Responding to a question from Chimanimani West legislator Wilson Maposa in Parliament, Minister Moyo explained the reason behind the clampdown. He said the Ministry was dealing with a flood of transfer requests, especially from teachers targeting cities like Harare and Bulawayo.
According to the Minister, this growing trend harms pupils, particularly those in key examination years like Grade 7, O-Level, and A-Level, because schools struggle to find immediate replacements.
Moyo made it clear that these examination classes are crucial stepping stones in the education system, where pupils need stability to properly prepare for their next academic or career phase.
“Indeed, the ministry has been inundated by requests from teachers who wish to transfer to some districts, with Harare, Bulawayo and other urban centres being the preferred destinations. At times, the transfers are effected at the detriment of the pupils, especially examination classes such as Grade 7, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level,” said Minister Moyo.
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Government Blocks Teacher Transfers for Exam Classes
He noted that the ministry considers examination levels as critical transition points requiring teaching continuity to enable learners to succeed in their academic and career development.
“To us, as a ministry, Grade 7, Ordinary Level and Advanced Level are exit points where we expect our pupils to acquire a certain degree of knowledge which is necessary for further development or career progression. For this reason, the ministry has, for long, given due attention to national examinations,” he said.
The Minister said the Ministry had now taken stronger steps to stop teachers from leaving mid-year, especially when they are teaching critical exam classes.
He explained that provincial and district offices have been told to strictly monitor transfer requests. In many cases, when a teacher leaves mid-term, schools are left without a replacement for months, which negatively affects pupils’ learning.
Moyo said the government’s new rule blocks such transfers during the academic year. Instead, transfers for exam class teachers will only be considered in the third term to ensure schools can prepare for the new year without disrupting learners’ studies.
“We have, as a matter of fact, advised our provinces and districts to exercise due diligence in handling transfers, especially for examination classes, because in the event of a transfer, it takes a long time for schools to get replacements and ultimately, our pupils go for long without teachers. As such, the ministry has come up with a policy to put on hold the transfer of teachers who will be taking examination classes. Such transfers are usually processed in the third term in preparation for the first term of the following year,” Moyo explained.
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The post No More Teacher Transfers: Govt Bans Mid-Year Transfers for Grade 7, O-Level, and A-Level Teachers appeared first on iHarare News.
