The Federal Government has introduced a new Teacher Ethics and Criminal Record Verification Framework, making it mandatory for all teachers—both in public and private schools—to undergo ethics screening and criminal background checks before being employed.
The policy was announced by the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, in Abuja on Monday, August 25, during the unveiling of the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) digital portal and its updated strategic vision for the teaching profession.
Dr. Alausa stated that the new framework is part of wide-ranging reforms aimed at restoring professionalism, accountability, and integrity in the Nigerian education system.
“No teacher, whether in public or private schools, will be employed without passing through ethics screening and criminal background checks,” the Minister said. “Private school owners must also verify TRCN registration and ethical clearance for their teachers.”
The verification process will be fully integrated into the TRCN’s new digital portal, which enables real-time teacher registration, licensing, and compliance monitoring. The system is designed to empower school owners, regulatory bodies, and stakeholders to verify credentials and ensure adherence to professional standards—helping to curb impersonation, document forgery, and the hiring of unqualified teachers.
Dr. Alausa emphasized that the policy will “safeguard the integrity of classrooms by ensuring only individuals of sound moral character and proven ethical conduct are entrusted with educating future generations.”
Speaking at the event, TRCN Registrar Dr. Ronke Soyombo pointed to persistent challenges in Nigeria’s education sector, noting that nearly 30% of school-age children still struggle with basic literacy. She said the new portal includes AI-powered lesson planning tools, automated criminal background checks, and teachers’ investigation panels across all states to enhance teaching quality.
Also present was Ian Attfield, Senior Education Adviser at the British High Commission, who reaffirmed the UK’s support for Nigeria’s education reforms. He noted that the Commission worked closely with TRCN in designing the new portal, calling the initiative “herculean but achievable.”
Attfield acknowledged the complexity of Nigeria’s education landscape—spanning public, private, and faith-based institutions—but expressed confidence that the integrated framework would significantly improve teaching standards by balancing accountability with support.
