The Federal Government has introduced a mandatory Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework.
This will ensure that no teacher in public or private institutions is employed without undergoing ethics screening and criminal background checks.
Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, stated this on Monday in Abuja at the official unveiling of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) portal and strategic vision for Nigerian teachers.
According to the Minister, the new framework is part of wider reforms to restore dignity, accountability, and professionalism in Nigeria’s teaching sector.
The government, he stressed, is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the classroom by ensuring that only individuals of sound moral character and verified ethical conduct are entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the nation’s future.
The initiative, he noted, would also help in identifying and removing individuals with questionable backgrounds who may pose risks to students and undermine the values of education.
Dr. Alausa further explained that the verification framework will work hand-in-hand with the TRCN digital portal, which has been designed to provide real-time teacher registration, licensing, and monitoring. He said through this system, school administrators, government agencies, and relevant stakeholders will be able to easily verify the authenticity of teachers’ credentials and their compliance with the new ethical standards.
This measure, he added, will not only promote transparency but also eliminate cases of impersonation, forgery, and unqualified teaching staff within the education system.
“As part of our reform agenda, we are introducing a mandatory Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework.
“No teacher, whether in public or private institutions, will henceforth be employed without undergoing ethics screening and criminal background checks.
“Private school owners will be mandated to verify the TRCN registration and ethical clearance of their teachers. The TRCN Portal will integrate a secure verification system to make this possible in real time,” he said.
Earlier, the Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Dr. Ronke Soyombo, revealed that 30 per cent of Nigerian children are unable to read and write.
She listed features in the new portal, including Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered lesson planning, criminal record checks, teachers’ investigation panels in each state of the Federation, among others.
Dr Soyombo said the portal aims to enhance the quality of teaching in Nigeria by providing a platform for teachers to access training, resources, and support.
In his goodwill message, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, Ian Attfield, expressed the United Kingdom’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s efforts to develop the teacher development portal.
According to Attfield, the UK government has been working closely with the Council to develop the portal, noting that the UK government is enthusiastic about the project and has been engaging with TRCN’s leadership, led by Dr. Soyombo, to take the work forward.
Attfield highlighted the complexity of Nigeria’s education system, with diverse types of teachers, including those in faith-based schools and low-cost private schools.
He emphasised the need for a system that integrates various data systems, motivates teachers, and uses a combination of incentives and support to improve teaching quality.
He assured that the UK government stands behind Nigeria in its efforts to develop a cohesive education system, describing the task as Herculean but achievable over the next few years.
