Teacher transfer systems play an important role in managing staff distribution across schools. One of the most common processes used in education departments is the Educator Single & Cross Transfer, which allows teachers to move between schools based on certain conditions and administrative procedures.
According to the Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998, the Head of Department or Director-General has the authority to transfer educators to other posts within the education system, provided that the educator consents to the transfer and proper procedures are followed.
In terms of Section 8 of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (Act No 76 of 1998), as amended, the Superintendent-General may, in the best interest of the department, transfer any educator in the service of the department to any post.
DOWNLOAD THE EMPLOYMENT OF EDUCATORS ACT 76 of 1998 HERE
PURPOSE
To establish uniform policy and procedures for the permanent transfer of institution and office-based educators from one post to another,
SCOPE OF APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all permanent educators whose employment is regulated in terms of the Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (Act 76 of 1998), as amended.
AUTHORISATION
- Employment of Educators Act, 1998 (Act 76 of 1998), as amended
- Labour Relations Act, 1995 (Act 66 of 1995), as amended
- Employment Equity Act, 1998 (Act 55 of 1998)
- Public Finance Management Act, 1999 (Act 1 of 1999)
- Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 (Act 75 of 1997)
- Personnel Administration Measures (PAM)
PRINCIPLES
No educator shall be favoured or prejudiced in considering applications for transfer. All applications for transfers will be considered on the basis of fairness and objectivity.
No educator shall be transferred to a post unless he/she is suitable for the post.
TRANSFER PROVISIONS
OFFICE-BASED EDUCATORS : CROSS TRANSFERS
Office Based Educators who meet the needs of the post may apply for cross- transfer. The applications from the respective educators must be made on the prescribed form and be recommended by the respective Heads of Division as well as the Heads of Directorate/Office. However, no cross-transfers will be considered if charge/s of misconduct have been preferred against either one of the applicants.
The respective educators are required to jointly complete 2 sets of the prescribed application form (TF2B)and each educator is required to submit their copy to their line functionaries for a recommendation. The form must then be submitted to the relevant Personnel Component for further attention and onward transmission for formal approval to the Senior General Manager: HR and Admin Services. Upon receipt of the approval, the respective Personnel Components must inform the educators accordingly and process the cross transfers.
The effective date of such transfer will be the first day of the month following the month on which approval was granted. Under no circumstances should any movement take place without the necessary approval.
The head of the receiving offices must arrange for the completion and submission of assumption of duty forms in respect of the transferred employees. Such forms must be submitted to the relevant Personnel Component within 3 days from the date of assumption of duty.
OFFICE-BASED EDUCATORS: SINGLE TRANSFERS
Office Based Educators will not be selectively considered for single transfers to vacant posts. Such vacant posts will be advertised and educators who currently occupy a post similar to the advertised post may apply for transfer to such advertised post.
INSTITUTION BASED EDUCATORS : CROSS-TRANSFERS
Institution Based Educators who meet the curricular needs of the affected schools may apply for cross transfer. In this regard it is essential that all aspects of the posts and subjects offered by each educator is the same. The applications must be in writing on the prescribed form and be recommended by the relevant Heads of Institution and School Governing Bodies, However, no cross-transfers will be considered if charge/s of misconduct have been preferred against either one of the applicants.
Key Requirements for Educator Transfers
Educators applying for a Single or Cross Transfer must usually meet the following requirements:
Be a permanently appointed educator
Be registered with the South African Council for Educators (SACE)
Obtain approval from the school management and district office
Submit a completed transfer application form
Ensure that the receiving school has a vacant post
In many cases, the School Governing Body (SGB) of the receiving school may also provide a recommendation before the transfer is finalized.
Information Required in the Transfer Application Form
The Educator Single & Cross Transfer form usually requires the following details:
Personal Information
Full name and surname
ID number
Contact details
SACE registration number
Current Employment Details
Current school name
District or province
Post level and subject specialization
Years of service
Transfer Request Details
Type of transfer (Single or Cross Transfer)
Preferred school or district
Reason for requesting the transfer
Approvals and Signatures
Educator signature
School principal endorsement
District office approval
The respective educators are required to jointly complete 2 sets of the prescribed application forms (TF2Aand each educator is required to submit their copy to their Principal tor his/her recommendation who in turn must forward the application to the respective Chairpersons of the school Governing Bodies for their recommendation. The form must then be submitted to the relevant SEM and District Manager for further attention and onward transmission for formal approval to the Senior General Manager: HR and Admin Services.
Upon receipt of the approval, the relevant Service Centres must inform the educators accordingly and process the cross transfers. The principals of the receiving schools must arrange for the completion and submission of the assumption of duty forms in respect of the transferred educators. Such assumption of duty forms must be forwarded to the relevant Personnel Component within 3 days of the assumption of duty.
In order to minimize disruption in teaching and learning, cross transfers may only be effected at the beginning of the academic year unless compelling reasons dictate otherwise.
Under no circumstances should any movement take place without the necessary approval.
INSTITUTION BASED EDUCATORS: SINGLE TRANSFERS
Institution Based Educators may be considered for a transfer for reasons of a personal and compelling nature (eg. economic, social or domestic reasons). Documentary evidence substantiating the compelling circumstances must accompany requests for transfer. However, the transfer will not be considered if charge/s of misconduct have been preferred against the applicant.
It should be noted that only post level 1 educators are eligible to apply for a single transfer. In this regard all promotion posts must be advertised.
Such educators must personally identify a school with a substantive vacant and concomitant post and coniplete the prescribed application forms (TFIA and TF1B). The TF1A must be submitted to the Principal and the Chairperson of the School Governing Body of the releasing school for their recommendation. The form must then be submitted to the releasing SEM and the District Manager for a recommendation. The District Manager must thereafter submit the completed form to the Directorate: Human Resource Services at Head Office.
TF1B must be submitted to the Principal and the Chairperson of the School Governing Body of the receiving school for their recommendation. The form must then be submitted to the receiving SEM and the District Manager for a recommendation. The District Manager must thereafter submit the completed form to the Directorate: Human Resource Services at Head Office.
The Manager : Human Resource Services will, upon receipt of both TF1A and TF1B, consider granting formal approval for the transfer. In the event that the application for transfer is disapproved/not recommended, the applicant must be favoured with a written explanation from the relevant official/School Governing Body or the responsible Personnel Component, as the case may be. Upon approval, the responsible Personnel Component must inform the school and the educator in writing.
In order to minimize disruption in teaching and learning transfers may only be effected in the beginning of the academic year unless compelling reasons dictate otherwise. Under no circumstances should any movement take place without the necessary approval. The principals of the schools must arrange for the completion and submission of the assumption of duty form in respect of the transferred educator. Such form must be submitted within 3 days from the date of assumption of duty to the relevant Personnel Component.
GENERAL
The procedures outlined above must also be followed in respect of inter- provincial transfers, but, in this instance the approval of the respective Heads of Department or his/her delegate must be obtained.
Complaints relating to the undue delays in the processing of applications for transfer must be directed to the General Manager: Human Resource Management at Head Office.
TRANSFER/RELOCATION COSTS
All educator-initiated transfers will be at their own costs.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM
Disputes arising from the interpretation and implementation of this Policy shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant dispute resolution procedures.
Application forms for single and cross – transfers are available in every education district in the country.
