The Federal Government has introduced a Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework, mandating ethics screening and criminal background checks for all teachers in public and private schools before employment. The announcement was made by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, during the launch of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital portal and its new strategic vision for the teaching profession in Abuja on Monday.
Dr. Alausa stated that the initiative is part of comprehensive reforms to restore dignity, accountability, and professionalism to Nigeria’s education system. “No teacher, whether in public or private institutions, will henceforth be employed without undergoing ethics screening and criminal background checks,” he declared, adding that private school owners must verify teachers’ TRCN registration and ethical clearance.
The verification framework will be integrated into the TRCN’s new digital portal, enabling real-time teacher registration, licensing, and monitoring. The system allows school administrators, government agencies, and stakeholders to confirm teachers’ credentials and ethical compliance, aiming to eliminate impersonation, forgery, and unqualified staff in schools. Alausa emphasized that the policy will ensure only individuals of sound moral character are entrusted with educating future generations.
TRCN Registrar Dr. Ronke Soyombo revealed that approximately 30% of Nigerian children remain illiterate, underscoring the need for improved teacher quality. She highlighted that the digital portal includes features like AI-powered lesson planning, criminal record checks, and state-level teachers’ investigation panels to address educational challenges.
Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, reaffirmed the UK’s support for Nigeria’s teacher development initiatives, noting their collaboration with TRCN on the portal’s design. He described Nigeria’s education system as complex, with diverse teacher categories, and stressed the need for an integrated system combining accountability with incentives. Attfield expressed optimism about the reforms, calling them “herculean but achievable,” and assured continued UK support for a more effective education system.
The launch marks a significant step toward enhancing teacher professionalism and improving educational outcomes across Nigeria.
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