The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria says it is determined to restore the nobility of the teaching profession by ensuring that only qualified teachers are in practice.
The Registrar/Chief Executive of the council, Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, made the remark during the induction of 270 teacher-graduates from the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State on Tuesday.
Ajiboye said there would no longer be space for quacks and gatecrashers as the Ministry of Education had approved that only registered, qualified and certified teachers would be allowed to practice in the country.
Ajiboye said: “The position of the Ministry of Education is that NCE remains the minimum qualification for the profession and what the TRCN as an agency is saying is that any teacher who is not licensed, will not be allowed to operate in Nigeria.
“There are no more spaces for gatecrashers in the teaching profession; it is a noble profession for well-trained, motivated and passion- driven people.
“It is either you are a teacher or a cheater and cheaters are quacks who will have no space in Nigerian classrooms; the moratorium for all to update will soon be made public.”
The registrar said that the TRCN certification also puts Nigerian teachers at par with their counterparts in developed countries, adding that it was time every teacher complied with the TRCN standard.
“In the recruitment of the 500, 000 teachers by government, TRCN will play a major role and if you are not registered and certified by TRCN, you may not have space.
“For existing teachers and even professors, we have designed Professional Diploma in Education, Post Doctoral Diploma in Education and Post-Graduate Diploma in Education to take care of their qualification deficiencies.”
In his address of welcome, the Dean, Faculty of Education of the institution, Prof. Ogo Ibeneme, congratulated the graduands and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the university.
Ibeneme said that their registration with TRCN had empowered them and made them recognized members of the teaching profession.
Declaring the event open, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, said the inductees should see themselves as privileged for being among the moulders of characters.
Ahaneku, who was represented by his Deputy (Academics), Prof. Charles Esimone, said the relationship between the institution and TRCN which began in 2012, had been successful with consistent annual induction.
He reminded the beneficiaries to uphold the principles of hard work and dedication which Unizik was known for as they go into the larger society.