The Provost of Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo, Dr. Rauf Salami, has urged 945 newly-inducted professional teachers to play a pivotal role in transforming the country’s education system.

He said this during the second series induction ceremony of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). Salami explained the divine nature of the teaching profession, describing it as the foundation upon which all other professions are built. He said teachers hold a crucial responsibility in shaping the future of Nigeria and fostering positive change in the nation.

Also, the Chief Executive of the TRCN, Prof. Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, noted the importance of induction as a pre-requisite for confirming a teacher’s professional status and a mechanism to eliminate quacks and unprofessional teachers from the field, as well as ensuring a higher standard of education.

Ajiboye said that being considered qualified to teach would foster a renewed spirit among teachers and improve the qualitative planning and administration of the profession.

He said the TRCN had registered 2.2 million teachers across Nigeria and had issued licences to 4,000 teachers, emphasising that both certificates and licences are now required for practice, with licences renewable every three years.

Chairman of the College Induction Committee, Dr. Gbenga Ojebisi, described the inductees as indispensable transformation agents eagerly awaited by the nation.

Ojebisi, who encouraged the graduands to instill a growth mindset in their students, said they had been equipped with knowledge and values as well as empowered to deliver quality education and defend the integrity of the teaching profession against all challenges.