The Federal Government has announced that starting from 2027, secondary schools—both public and private—must have only certified teachers if they wish to retain accreditation to host national examinations such as WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, and SAISSCE.
This directive was issued by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in a memo to the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). The move aims to enforce professionalism and improve standards in the teaching profession.
According to the directive, any school that fails to meet the requirement will be disqualified from serving as an examination centre for:
WASSCE – March 2027
NABTEB – May 2027
NECO – June 2027
SAISSCE (NBIAS) – June 2027
The Minister urged state governments to begin enforcing the policy immediately, ensuring that all teachers in both public and private secondary schools obtain TRCN certification.
Schools are expected to reach at least 75% compliance by 2026, with full compliance required by 2027.
To support affected teachers, especially non-education graduates with at least 12 months of classroom experience, Dr. Alausa advised enrollment in an abridged certification program offered by the National Teachers Institute (NTI). The program includes professional courses lasting three to six months, after which participants become eligible for TRCN registration and licensing.
The Minister called for urgent sensitization of stakeholders to avoid any disruptions in exam accreditation processes.
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