Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa
Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern directive mandating that all secondary schools, both public and private, ensure their teachers possess proper certification or face losing their status as examination centres for major public examinations.
In a memo released on Thursday, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, instructed the Registrar/Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to enforce the new policy.
The directive aligns with the government’s commitment to enhancing professionalism in the teaching sector. “This policy is a critical step toward ensuring quality education delivery,” Alausa stated.
Starting in 2027, accreditation for conducting examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), National Examinations Council (NECO), and Senior Arabic and Islamic Secondary School Certificate Examination (SAISSCE) will be contingent on teachers holding valid TRCN certification.
“From March 2027 for WASSCE, May 2027 for NABTEB, June 2027 for NECO, and June 2027 for SAISSCE, schools without duly registered and licensed teachers will be barred from serving as examination centres,” Alausa emphasized.
The minister called on state governments to take note of the directive and implement measures to ensure compliance within two years. Schools are expected to achieve a minimum of 75% compliance by 2026 and full compliance by 2027.
“We will closely monitor adherence to this policy to uphold educational standards,” he added.
To facilitate compliance, Alausa encouraged teachers who are non-education graduates but have at least 12 months of classroom teaching experience to enroll in the National Teachers Institute (NTI) for an abridged professional certification program. “This program, lasting three to six months, will enable participants to obtain TRCN registration and licensing,” he explained.
The minister stressed the importance of widespread awareness to prevent disruptions in examination accreditation, urging stakeholders to prioritize the directive. “Proactive compliance is essential to maintain the integrity of our examination system,” Alausa concluded.
NAN
