Approximately 13,700 candidates participated in the May edition of the Teachers’ Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE), held across various centres nationwide by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).
The PQE, a mandatory requirement for teachers seeking certification and professional licensing in Nigeria, serves to ensure that educators meet the minimum standard of competence required to teach.
Acting Registrar of the TRCN, Stella Nwokeocha, disclosed this while monitoring the examination at the Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Wuse II, Abuja, on Saturday.
“At this centre alone, we have 594 candidates sitting for the exam. Across the country, the number of participants is around 13,700,” Nwokeocha said.
She noted that reports from various examination centres indicated the exam was conducted smoothly and without major hitches. However, she explained that the rescheduling of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in some states had necessitated adjustments to the PQE timetable.
“We received positive feedback from all centres—no issues reported so far. But due to the clash with JAMB’s UTME in states like Lagos and those in the South East, we had to shift the PQE. Some candidates will be writing on Sunday, and in Enugu, the exam will hold on Wednesday,” she explained.
TRCN Reinforces Standards with Tech-Driven Reforms and Prompt PQE Results
Also speaking at the Abuja centre, the Chairman of the TRCN Governing Board, Dr. Saliu Mustapha, commended the successful conduct of the exercise and the impressive turnout of candidates.
He described the examination as a vital component in the effort to sanitise and professionalise the teaching sector.
Dr. Mustapha also highlighted ongoing initiatives by the Ministry of Education, led by Dr. Maruf Alausa, aimed at using technology to eliminate unqualified teachers from the system.
“We are moving toward a technology-driven system where we will maintain a comprehensive database of certified teachers. Eventually, this database could be made publicly accessible.
“For instance, a parent could search online to confirm if a teacher handling their child’s class is registered with the TRCN. This would increase accountability for both the teachers and schools—especially private ones—to ensure only qualified personnel are engaged,” he stated.
Representing the Minister of Education at the exam centre, Ismaila Adiatu expressed satisfaction with the conduct and organisation of the exercise.
In a related development, the Director of Certification and Licensing at TRCN, Dr. Jacinta Ezeahurukwe, announced that the results of the PQE would be released within a week.
“Our delegates from the states will start submitting results by Monday and Tuesday. Once that process is complete, the management will review and approve the benchmark, after which the results will be officially released,” she said.
The PQE continues to serve as a cornerstone in the ongoing effort to uphold teaching standards and ensure quality education delivery in Nigeria.
…By Ani Juliana.
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Ani Juliana, is A 300l student of the University of Nigeria Nsukka,
With the passion for content writing and Copywriting.
