Close to 13,000 teachers took part in the Teachers’ Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) conducted by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) during the May session across the country.
The PQE is a mandatory assessment that teachers must pass to obtain registration and licensing to teach in Nigeria, serving as a benchmark for professional competence.
Stella Nwokeocha, the Acting Registrar of TRCN, who oversaw the examination at the National Open University of Nigeria’s Computer-Based Test Centre in Wuse II, Abuja, disclosed that 594 candidates sat for the exam at that centre alone, with the total number nationwide reaching approximately 13,700.
She noted that the exam proceeded smoothly at all centres, although some states had to reschedule due to conflicts with the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
“According to reports from the various test centres, the exercise has been completed without major issues. Some locations, including Lagos and parts of the South East, adjusted their schedules because of the UTME. For example, candidates in Lagos will write on Sunday, while those in Enugu are scheduled for Wednesday,” Nwokeocha said.
Dr. Saliu Mustapha, Chairman of the TRCN Governing Board, praised the smooth execution of the exam and the impressive turnout.
He emphasized that the PQE is crucial in maintaining quality within the teaching profession and highlighted efforts by the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, to incorporate technology to remove unqualified teachers from classrooms.
“We are developing an IT-based platform to create a comprehensive database of registered teachers. This will enable parents to verify online whether a teacher in their child’s school is properly certified,” Mustapha explained.
Ismaila Adiatu, representing the Minister of Education, also commended the smooth conduct of the examination.
Additionally, Dr. Jacinta Ezeahurukwe, TRCN’s Director of Certification and Licensing, revealed that results from the exam are expected to be released within a week.
“Our state delegates are due back by Monday and Tuesday, after which we will begin processing the results. Following management’s review and approval of the benchmarks, results will be published within the week,” she said.
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