By Ademuyiwa Balikis
The Federal Government has announced that from 2027, secondary schools in Nigeria will only be allowed to serve as centres for public examinations if their teachers are certified by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
The directive was issued on Thursday by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a memo to the TRCN Registrar.
According to the policy, schools that fail to comply will lose accreditation to host examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), National Examinations Council (NECO), National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB), and other national assessment bodies.
Specific deadlines have been set for 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)
Dr. Alausa said the policy aims to strengthen professionalism in the teaching sector and ensure that only qualified educators are entrusted with preparing students for critical examinations.
“Any school whose teachers are not duly registered and licensed with the TRCN shall be disqualified from serving as an examination centre,” he stated.
To allow for a smooth transition, the government has given schools a two year compliance window. By 2026, schools are expected to achieve at least 75% compliance, rising to 100% by 2027. Both state owned and private schools have been directed to ensure their teachers are duly registered.
The minister also addressed concerns about teachers who are not education graduates but already have classroom experience. He said such teachers could enroll in an abridged professional certification programme offered by the National Teachers Institute (NTI). The short courses, lasting between three to six months, would qualify participants for TRCN registration and licensing.
Dr. Alausa urged stakeholders, including state governments, school owners, and teachers, to prioritize the directive and engage in wide sensitization to avoid disruptions in the accreditation process.
The new policy is seen as a landmark step in institutionalizing professionalism within the Nigerian teaching workforce and aligning the education system with global standards.
