The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) now handles teacher transfer and swap requests through an online module, replacing paper-based applications. This guide walks teachers, heads of institution and TSC officers through the process, from logging in to approval. If you are looking for a swap partner, the Teachers Updates swap board is covered further down.
Which portal do you use?
| Who you are | Portal |
|---|---|
| Teacher (including heads of institution, for their own login) | https://portal.tsc.go.ke/ |
| TSC actioning officer (sub-county, county, regional or headquarters) | https://tsconline.tsc.go.ke/ |
Step 1: Log in
- Open the teacher portal in your browser and enter your username and password.
- Use the same password you use for the Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities system on the Teachers Online Services (TOS) platform.
- If you are a new user who has never done a declaration, or you forgot your password, click Forgot Password. An OTP (one-time password) is sent to your official TSC email, which you use to create a new password.
- Enter the OTP sent to your official TSC email and click Verify OTP. OTPs expire after five minutes. If yours has expired, click Resend OTP.
After you log in, you land on the Teacher Dashboard, which shows your profile, a summary and a sidebar menu.
Step 2: Request a transfer
- In the sidebar, click Transfer & Swap, then Request Transfer. Any previous requests you made are listed here.
- Click Request Transfer again and complete four steps:
- Profile: filled in automatically by the system. You cannot edit it.
- Length of Service (LOS): also filled in automatically and not editable.
- Reason: your reason for requesting the transfer.
- Transfer To: where you want to move.
- Click Submit.
If your automatically filled profile or length-of-service details look wrong, raise it with your TSC sub-county office rather than trying to work around the form. You can follow the status of each request from your dashboard.
Before you apply, check your eligibility. TSC generally expects teachers to have served a minimum period at their current station before asking to move, and reports put it at three years, so confirm the position for your case with your sub-county office.
Swaps on the TSC portal
You don't need a separate application for a swap. Through the same module, you can see available swap opportunities and approve or accept requests that suit you. Review swap proposals carefully, since accepting one commits you to the move.
Finding a swap partner on Teachers Updates
Many teachers want to swap but don't know who to swap with. The teacher swap board on Teachers Updates lets you post your own request and browse other teachers' requests, filtered by level, county and sub-county, preferred county, school category (day, boarding or both), school gender and school features such as hardship allowance. You need to log in to post. You can also set up swap alerts to be told when a matching request appears.
Two things to keep in mind:
- The board is independent of TSC. It helps you find and contact a possible partner, but it does not submit anything to TSC. A swap only counts once the request goes through the TSC portal and is approved by the relevant TSC officer.
- Protect your account. Never share your TSC password or OTP with anyone, and don't pay anyone who promises to "guarantee" or fast-track a swap. Only TSC approves transfers.
What heads of institution do
Heads of institution log in in the same way as teachers, but their account has extra functions. They can:
- View transfer requests from teachers in their institution.
- Add an HOI comment before submitting approval.
- Approve requests directly from the dashboard.
The transfers of heads of institution and their deputies are handled administratively by TSC, outside this process.
How TSC officers process requests
Actioning officers use the Transfers Module on the TOS platform (https://tsconline.tsc.go.ke/):
- Log in with the credentials assigned to you.
- In the top navigation bar, open the Transfers Module and choose the right category: SCD Transfers (Sub-County Director), CD Transfers (County Director), RD Transfers (Regional Director) or HQ Transfers.
- Click Transfer Requests to see all pending requests in your category.
- Click Action, add your remarks, select the approved institution, and submit.
- Once approved, transfer letters are sent automatically by the Commission's system.
The process is the same at every level. Each category also has a Reports section where officers can review requests already processed.
When a transfer takes effect
To reduce disruption to learning, approved transfers take effect during school holidays, unless the transfer is classified and processed as an emergency and is supported by the necessary documentation.
Frequently asked questions
My OTP didn't work. What should I do?
OTPs expire after five minutes, so click Resend OTP and enter the new code promptly.
Can I change my profile or length-of-service details on the form?
No. The system fills both in and locks them.
Do heads of institution use this module to move?
Not in the same way. Transfers of heads and deputy heads are handled administratively by TSC.
Is the Teachers Updates swap board an official TSC service?
No. It is an independent board for finding swap partners. Official requests are made only through the TSC portal.
If I post on the swap board, does TSC receive my request?
No. Posting on the board does not submit anything to TSC. You still need to make your request on the TSC portal.
When will my transfer start?
For approved transfers, normally during the next school holiday, unless it was an emergency case.
More TSC updates are in our TSC News section.