Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has said that an unregistered teacher risked a two-year jail term.
Mr Ibrahim Romi, the Acting Director, Professional Operations of the council, made this known in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
Romi said that the TRCN Act stipulated sanctions for such offences.
“Any individual that is engaged in the teaching profession or earning the reward of a teacher without due registration, is liable on conviction, to two years jail term.
“Sections 17 and 31 of the TRCN Act, 1993, makes this clear and also
stipulates that the employer of such unregistered teachers will face a similar penalty.’’
Romi said that registration of qualified teachers was necessary to enhance professionalism and competence.
“Registration is for the purpose of professionalism and to facilitates the upliftment of the profession.
“To be registered as a professional teacher, a person must possess a teaching qualification not lower than the National Certificate of Education (NCE).
“This is the minimum standard stipulated by the National Policy on Education.
“Those with degrees or diplomas in non-education fields must possess Post-Graduate Diploma in Education or Professional Diploma in Education.”
He added that the council’s mandate was limited to teachers and did not extend to the schools.
