On Saturday, over 11,350 candidates took the Teachers Registration Council’s Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) in the first batch across Nigeria. TRCN, the regulatory agency for teaching in the country, conducts the examination. The Registrar of TRCN, Prof Josiah Ajiboye, revealed that the exam was carried out smoothly across the nation and monitored it at Sascon International School, Maitama, Abuja. In addition, Ajiboye disclosed that Lagos State had the highest number of registered candidates for the exam with over 1,500 entrants, while Kano State and the Federal Capital Territory followed.
According to Ajiboye, the PQE recorded significant improvements in participation and accreditation processes. Kebbi State had the least number of participants. Ajiboye also commended the candidates for their conduct, saying that it demonstrated maturity and seriousness towards the exam.
Ajiboye also emphasized that the PQE is a vital step in weeding out unqualified teachers in the country. He added that the regulatory agency could verify the authenticity of certificates. Federal Ministry of Education’s Permanent Secretary, David Adejo, expressed his satisfaction with the improved accreditation process of the PQE. He commended the TRCN for its efforts to create a rigorous process for teacher certification.
The examination began on Wednesday and ended on Friday in some states. With TRCN insisting that only passing the PQE can guarantee applicants’ licence, Professor Ajiboye reiterated that even professors in the universities must sit for the examination to obtain a certificate. The Council had conducted school monitoring in February last year, further weeding out quacks from the profession.
