The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially launched the mandatory Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework, a significant initiative aimed at ensuring that all educators in both public and private schools undergo comprehensive background checks prior to employment.
This announcement was made by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and is spearheaded by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa.
The newly established framework is designed to reinstate professionalism and accountability within Nigeria’s education sector. Dr. Alausa emphasized that this initiative is critical for entrusting the education of future generations to individuals possessing sound moral integrity.
Accessing Criminal Records
The government has confirmed that the verification framework will be integrated into the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital portal. This system is expected to play a crucial role in combating issues such as impersonation, certificate forgery, and the hiring of unqualified personnel in Nigerian schools.
Last month, the TRCN launched its digital platform as part of ongoing efforts to modernize teacher registration, licensing, and monitoring processes. This portal serves as a national database for teachers, allowing them to easily register, access their results, and print certificates from home, eliminating the need to visit state offices.
According to TRCN Registrar, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, the new portal will also improve educational quality by incorporating AI-powered lesson planning tools and revising the Professional Qualifying Examination to focus on five core subjects, including mathematics, literacy, and pedagogy.
Strengthening Ethical Standards
To further enhance teacher quality, the TRCN will establish state-level investigation panels responsible for addressing cases of misconduct and upholding ethical standards among educators. This move aims to ensure that teachers adhere to the highest levels of professionalism.
Key Facts to Consider
- The TRCN has raised alarms regarding the qualifications of Nigeria’s teaching workforce. As Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, TRCN Registrar, noted, Nigeria has nearly four million teachers, yet only about 2.4 million are currently registered with the council.
- A significant concern is the high number of unqualified teachers in private schools, many of whom do not meet the TRCN’s registration criteria. To register with the TRCN, individuals must possess either a Bachelor of Education degree or a Bachelor’s degree in any field paired with a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE).
- Established under TRCN Decree No. 31 of 1993, now known as the TRCN Act CAP T3 of 2004, the council is tasked with regulating and overseeing the teaching profession across all levels of Nigeria’s educational system.
This initiative not only aims to improve the quality of education in Nigeria but also reinforces the government’s commitment to fostering a competent and ethical teaching workforce as the country continues to advance its educational standards.
