A total of 12,539 teachers nationwide took the May session of the Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE), which started on Thursday and concluded on Saturday.
The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) conducts this examination to assess the professional competence of teachers.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Saturday, Dr. Jacinta Ezeahurukwe, Director of Certification and Licensing at TRCN, stated that the examination ensures that only qualified teachers remain in classrooms across the country.
Ezeahurukwe highlighted that the impact of the PQE has been felt both nationally and internationally. The enforcement of the policy “no PQE, no staying in the classroom” began in 2019, prompting many teachers to obtain their PQE.
“The teaching profession has reached a highly recognized level both internationally and nationally,” she said. “Everyone knows you can’t just walk into a classroom and claim to be a teacher; you must be registered and licensed by TRCN.”
Since its inception in 2014, the PQE has become a standard practice, gaining international recognition for its examination processes. The UK even allows Nigerian teachers to apply for Qualifying Teacher Status.
Ezeahurukwe explained that the PQE establishes foundational knowledge that teachers must possess, as outlined in professional teaching standards. In the May session, Benue State had the highest number of registered candidates with 1,416, followed by Osun State with 1,410. Cross River State had the fewest candidates at 59, followed by Ebonyi State with 69.
She noted that awareness of the importance of the PQE has grown, with nearly all schools requiring TRCN certification and licensing for their teachers. TRCN ensures that all states and institutions recruiting teachers from primary to tertiary levels have qualified educators.
“We have introduced this to our graduating education students, who are inducted at the point of graduation. After their final exams, they apply for the TRCN PQE, which is conducted in schools. This way, most of our graduating students are registered before they enter the job market,” she said.
Additionally, Ezeahurukwe mentioned that the Senegalese team led 3-1 in the first leg going into the second leg in Monrovia this weekend. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2024 will be held in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, marking the first time the country will host a FIFA tournament.
