FG mandates TRCN certification for schools to conduct public exams

In a significant effort to enhance the professionalism of educators, the Federal Government has announced that all secondary schools must have their teachers certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) or risk being prohibited from serving as examination centres for key public assessments.

The announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a memo directed to the TRCN Registrar. This initiative aims to enforce baseline standards and qualifications for teachers nationwide.

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As per the new policy, beginning in 2027, any secondary school seeking accreditation to administer examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), NECO, NABTEB, and the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) will need to ensure their teachers are properly registered and licensed by the TRCN.

The minister provided specific deadlines for compliance with each examination body: March 2027 for WASSCE, May 2027 for NABTEB, June 2027 for NECO, June 2027 for the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NBIAS/SAISSCE).

“Schools with teachers not registered and licensed by the TRCN will be disqualified from acting as examination centres,” the minister emphasized.

To facilitate this transition, the government has allowed a two-year period for compliance. State governments are expected to guarantee that all teachers in both public and private secondary schools meet these requirements, with a goal of achieving at least 75% compliance by 2026 and full compliance by 2027.

Recognizing that not all current educators possess degrees in education, the minister outlined a pathway for compliance. He encouraged teachers with a minimum of 12 months of classroom experience to participate in a condensed professional certification program provided by the National Teachers Institute (NTI).

“The institute provides an abridged professional certification program with short courses lasting three to six months, enabling participants to qualify for TRCN registration and licensing,” Alausa stated.

The minister urged all stakeholders to prioritize this directive and promote awareness to prevent any disruptions in the accreditation process for these essential public examinations. This policy marks a pivotal step toward institutionalizing professionalism within Nigeria’s teaching sector.