FG Moves to Bar Schools with Uncertified Teachers

The Federal Government has announced a sweeping reform that will reshape the education sector in Nigeria. By 2027, only schools with certified teachers will be allowed to serve as centres for national public examinations. This directive is part of a broader plan to raise teaching standards, restore professionalism, and ensure that students across the country are taught and assessed by qualified educators.

The decision was formally communicated in a memo by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. According to the Minister, the measure is not just an administrative rule but a deliberate government strategy to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s education system.

Under the new framework, schools that fail to meet teacher certification standards will lose accreditation to host major examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, the National Examinations Council, and the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination. The timeline for enforcement is clearly set: from March 2027 for WASSCE, May 2027 for NABTEB, and June 2027 for both NECO and SAISSCE. By those dates, schools that cannot prove their teachers are registered and licensed under TRCN will be barred from serving as centres for these assessments.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that both public and private schools must take the directive seriously. He instructed state governments to align immediately with the policy, set up monitoring systems, and ensure compliance within the next two years. The government has granted schools and teachers a two-year transition period to meet the new requirements. By 2026, schools are expected to have achieved at least 75 percent compliance, with full adherence required by 2027. Failure to meet these benchmarks could mean disqualification and disruption for schools that typically host large cohorts of students during examination seasons.

The Minister explained that compliance will be closely monitored, and schools should begin preparation immediately rather than wait until the deadline. He said this is not a suggestion but a binding requirement for every institution that intends to participate in the administration of public examinations in Nigeria.

Recognizing that not all teachers currently meet the TRCN standard, the government has outlined special pathways for non-education graduates and teachers without formal certification. Those with at least one year of classroom experience can take advantage of an abridged certification programme offered through the National Teachers Institute. The NTI programme is designed as a professional short course lasting between three to six months. Upon successful completion, participants will be able to register with TRCN and secure the necessary license to continue teaching and qualify their schools for accreditation.

The Minister urged teachers to embrace this opportunity rather than see it as a hurdle. He noted that the initiative is meant to professionalize teaching and ensure that educators are equipped with both modern methods and ethical standards. Schools are encouraged to support their staff in pursuing this certification, as it directly affects their ability to remain accredited as exam centres.

In addition to the NTI programme, the Federal Government has also rolled out digital tools to simplify teacher registration. A new portal under the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria now provides a one-stop platform for registration, licensing, renewal of credentials, professional development, ethical verification, and scheduling of the Professional Qualifying Examination. This digital innovation, launched earlier in the year, is expected to cut bureaucratic delays and make compliance easier for schools and teachers.

The PQE itself has also been restructured. It was previously spread across 23 subjects, but the government has streamlined it into five core areas: foundational mathematics, literacy, pedagogy, digital literacy, and safeguarding. According to officials, this shift is designed to make the examination more practical and focused on essential skills every teacher must demonstrate, regardless of their subject specialization.

Beyond certification, the Federal Government has also integrated ethics and criminal record screening into the TRCN system. This measure is meant to eliminate cases of impersonation, certificate forgery, and the employment of unqualified individuals as teachers. It will also help ensure that those entrusted with the responsibility of educating young Nigerians meet not only academic but also moral standards.

The government’s insistence on compliance reflects a broader vision to elevate Nigeria’s education sector to meet global benchmarks. With the challenges of declining quality, poor teacher training, and cases of unqualified personnel in classrooms, the directive is seen as both urgent and necessary. While it may initially present difficulties for some schools, the long-term benefits include improved learning outcomes, enhanced credibility for public examinations, and a more professional teaching workforce.

Stakeholders have been advised to take the directive seriously and ensure that teachers and school administrators fully understand the implications. Parents are also being encouraged to demand accountability from schools by asking about their compliance status, since this will ultimately affect their children’s education. For teachers, the reform presents an opportunity to secure their place in the profession and enjoy recognition as trained professionals with clear standards.

The government has made it clear that there will be no compromise on this policy. Schools that delay or attempt to sidestep the requirements will face disqualification when accreditation checks are conducted. The aim is not to punish schools but to create a fair and level playing field where only qualified educators are entrusted with shaping the next generation.

As the 2027 deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how schools and teachers respond to this directive. The policy is not just about compliance but about building an education system that Nigerians can trust. It is a wake-up call to schools, teachers, and stakeholders to prioritize professionalism, invest in teacher development, and prepare adequately for the transition. The success of this reform will determine not only the future of Nigeria’s examinations but also the quality of its education system in the years to come.