No fewer than 12,539 teachers from various parts of the country participated in the May session of the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) held by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) from Thursday to Saturday.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday, Dr. Jacinta Ezeahurukwe, the Director of Certification and Licensing at TRCN, emphasized the importance of the examination in ensuring that only qualified teachers are actively teaching.
Ezeahurukwe highlighted the significant impact of the examination, both locally and internationally, stressing that the profession’s standards are now widely recognized and respected.
She emphasized the necessity for teachers to be registered and licensed by TRCN to practice, noting that the implementation of ‘no PQE, no staying in the classroom’ rule in 2019 led to a surge in teachers obtaining their PQE certification.
Furthermore, Ezeahurukwe pointed out that the UK has acknowledged Nigeria as one of the African countries where teachers can apply for Qualifying Teachers Status, underscoring the credibility and importance of the TRCN certification.
The Director explained that the PQE evaluates essential knowledge and skills that teachers should possess based on professional teaching standards. In the recent May session, Benue state had the highest number of registered candidates with 1,416, followed by Osun state with 1,410 registrations, while Cross River State had the lowest number with 59 candidates, followed by Ebonyi State with 69 candidates.
Ezeahurukwe highlighted the increasing awareness among Nigerians regarding the significance of the qualifying exams, noting that schools across the country now prioritize hiring teachers with TRCN certification and license.
She mentioned that TRCN is working towards ensuring that every educational institution, from primary to tertiary levels, employs qualified teachers, with an emphasis on introducing the PQE to graduating education students.
The induction process at graduation for education students in Colleges of Education and other institutions ensures that new teachers are equipped with the necessary qualifications. This proactive approach has streamlined the process for graduating students, allowing them to seamlessly transition into the teaching profession.
Agnes Agbo, a teacher from Veritas University, shared her positive experience participating in the examination, highlighting her commitment to continuous professional development and the opportunities it presents for career advancement and mobility.
Agbo commended the monitoring team for swiftly addressing any issues encountered during the examination, underscoring the importance of such assessments in upholding teaching standards and professionalism in the education sector.
