MNN Hub
In a major move to raise standards in the education sector, the Federal Government has introduced a mandatory Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework, requiring all teachers — both in public and private schools — to pass ethics screening and criminal background checks before being employed.
The announcement was made on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the official launch of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital portal and the unveiling of a new strategic vision for professionalising teaching in Nigeria.
“No teacher, whether in public or private institutions, will henceforth be employed without undergoing ethics screening and criminal background checks. Private school owners will also be required to verify the TRCN registration and ethical clearance of their teachers,” Alausa stated.
He explained that the new framework will be fully integrated into the TRCN’s upgraded digital platform, which now enables real-time registration, licensing, and monitoring of teachers nationwide. The portal, he added, is part of a broader effort to promote dignity, professionalism, and accountability within Nigeria’s education system.
According to the minister, the new system will also help school heads and government bodies verify teacher credentials and ethical status, helping to reduce incidents of impersonation, certificate forgery, and the recruitment of unqualified individuals into the profession.
Read also: INEC records over 1.3m online voter pre-registrations in first week of CVR exercise
He emphasized that the reform is a necessary safeguard for the future of Nigerian children, stating: “The policy will safeguard the integrity of the classroom by ensuring that only individuals of sound moral character and proven ethical conduct are entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing future generations.”
Earlier at the event, TRCN Registrar, Dr. Ronke Soyombo, highlighted the urgent need for reforms, revealing that nearly 30 per cent of Nigerian children are still unable to read and write. She noted that the enhanced digital portal was developed to tackle this learning crisis by improving teacher quality and professional oversight.
The new platform includes features such as AI-supported lesson planning, criminal background checks, and the establishment of teachers’ investigation panels in every state across the federation.
Also present at the event, Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, expressed the UK government’s continued support for Nigeria’s teacher development efforts. He confirmed the UK’s collaboration with TRCN in developing the digital portal and praised the initiative for its potential to inspire and empower teachers nationwide.
Attfield acknowledged the complexity of Nigeria’s education landscape, noting the presence of teachers across diverse school systems including faith-based institutions and low-cost private schools.
He called for a system that blends accountability with meaningful incentives to uplift teaching standards, adding: “The reform is herculean but achievable.”
“We will continue to stand by Nigeria in its quest for a more cohesive and effective education system.”
The launch of the digital portal and the ethics verification policy mark a significant step in the Federal Government’s mission to professionalise teaching, strengthen oversight, and protect students from unqualified or unethical educators.
Source: RipplesNigeria | Read Full Story…
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings