FG to disqualify schools with uncertified teachers by 2027

In a significant policy shift, the Federal Government has announced that starting in 2027, only secondary schools staffed by certified teachers will be permitted to serve as accredited centers for public examinations.

This directive was communicated through a memo issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, to the Registrar and Chief Executive of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Dr. Alausa emphasized that this new requirement is part of a broader strategy to enhance professionalism and ensure quality assurance within the teaching profession.

By setting this standard, the government aims to elevate educational standards and guarantee that students are evaluated in an environment led by qualified educators.

The minister explained that, starting from 2027, schools whose teachers lack certification from TRCN will be disqualified from conducting national examinations, including WASSCE, NABTEB, NECO, and NBIAS.

“Accordingly, effective from March 2027 for WASSCE, May 2027 for NABTEB, June 2027 for NECO and June 2027 for SAISSCE, any school whose teachers are not duly registered and licensed with the TRCN shall be disqualified from serving as an examination centre,” Alausa said.

He also directed state governments to align with the policy and ensure necessary measures are put in place for compliance in both public and private schools.

The government set a two-year compliance window to allow schools and teachers to meet the new requirements.

“Compliance with this directive shall be monitored, with schools expected to achieve a minimum compliance rate of 75 per cent by 2026 and full compliance of 100 per cent by 2027,” the minister stated.

This means that by 2026, schools will need to demonstrate significant progress, or risk eventual disqualification from accreditation.

To ensure teachers have sufficient opportunity to regularize their qualifications, the government has made provisions for an abridged certification route.

Alausa advised that teachers who are non-education graduates but have at least 12 months of classroom teaching experience should enrol in the National Teachers Institute (NTI).

He explained that the affected teachers could qualify for the abridged professional certification programme offered through the National Teachers Institute (NTI).

The NTI programme consists of professional short courses lasting between three to six months, after which participants can register and obtain licensing from TRCN.

The Minister urged education stakeholders to take the directive seriously and ensure proper awareness campaigns are conducted nationwide.

He stressed that schools must prioritize compliance to avoid disruptions in the accreditation process for public examinations.

He added that teachers and school administrators should give the directive the highest priority and ensure wide sensitisation of stakeholders across the country so as to avoid disruption of accreditation for public examinations.