FG to teachers: No classroom entry without TRCN certification

The Federal Government has warned that no teacher would be allowed to practise in Nigeria without proper registration and licensing from the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, gave the directive in Abuja yesterday while unveiling new guidelines aimed at strengthening professionalism in the teaching sector.

He explained that the government has realigned the roles of the TRCN and the National Teachers’ Institute (NTI) to ensure quality control in education delivery.

Under the new arrangement, the NTI will focus on in-service training and community-based professional development programmes, while the TRCN will serve strictly as the regulatory and licensing authority for teachers across the country.

Alausa stressed that the reforms would prioritise teacher registration, professional development, compliance monitoring, welfare and curriculum standards.

“No teacher will stand before a Nigerian classroom without TRCN registration and licensing. This guarantees competent and professional teaching for every child,” he said.

He added that from 2027, accreditation of both public and private secondary schools for the conduct of examinations such as WASSCE, NECO, NABTEB and NBIAS would be tied to TRCN certification of their teaching staff.

The minister maintained that the initiative was in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration, insisting that only properly certified teachers would prepare Nigerian children for the future.