The Federal Government has announced a mandatory Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework to raise standards in Nigeria’s education system.
The initiative was unveiled in Abuja by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, during the launch of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital portal and strategic vision for Nigerian teachers.
According to Dr Alausa, the framework will ensure that no teacher in public or private schools is employed without undergoing ethics screening and criminal background checks.
He explained that this move is part of wider reforms designed to restore dignity, accountability, and professionalism to the teaching sector.
“The government is committed to safeguarding the integrity of the classroom by ensuring that only individuals of sound moral character and verified ethical conduct are entrusted with the responsibility of shaping the nation’s future,” he said.
The minister added that the framework will help identify and remove individuals with questionable backgrounds who may pose risks to students or undermine the values of education.
He stressed that the verification system will work with the TRCN digital portal, which provides real-time teacher registration, licensing, and monitoring.
Through the portal, school administrators, government agencies, and stakeholders will be able to verify the authenticity of teachers’ credentials and their compliance with new ethical standards.
Dr Alausa said this would improve transparency and reduce impersonation, forgery, and the employment of unqualified staff in schools.
“As part of our reform agenda, we are introducing a mandatory Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework. No teacher, whether in public or private institutions, will henceforth be employed without undergoing ethics screening and criminal background checks. Private school owners will be mandated to verify the TRCN registration and ethical clearance of their teachers. The TRCN Portal will integrate a secure verification system to make this possible in real time,” he stated.
Earlier, the Chief Executive of TRCN, Dr Ronke Soyombo, highlighted the urgent need for reforms.
She revealed that 30 per cent of Nigerian children are unable to read and write, stressing that this challenge requires immediate attention.
Dr Soyombo explained that the portal comes with features such as Artificial Intelligence-powered lesson planning, criminal record checks, and teachers’ investigation panels across all states.
According to her, the system is expected to boost teaching quality by giving teachers access to training, resources, and professional support.
In a goodwill message, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, Ian Attfield, expressed the United Kingdom’s readiness to support Nigeria in developing the teacher development portal.
Attfield noted that the UK government has been working closely with TRCN’s leadership to push the project forward.
He described Nigeria’s education system as complex, with teachers in faith-based schools and low-cost private institutions.
He emphasised the need for a system that connects data platforms, motivates teachers, and uses a mix of incentives and support to improve classroom quality.
Attfield called the task Herculean but achievable, assuring that the UK government stands behind Nigeria in its drive to build a stronger and more cohesive education system.