F.C.E Abeokuta Provost Backs TRCN On Professionalization of Teaching

Provost of the Federal College of Education,Osiele in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Dr. Rafiu Soyele has thrown his full weight behind the conduct of mandatory professional examination by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria TRCN, to professionalize teaching in the country

Both branches of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary and National Association Of Proprietors of Private Schools NAPPS in the state in seperate interview with Edu-Biznews, have kicked against such mandatory examination for already qualified teachers who are either holders of Nigeria Certificate In Education NCE from College of Education or Bachelor of Education, B.Ed from universities  before being  licensed to teach by TRCN

But the provost in an interview with Edu-Biznews over the weekend, says "being certificated as teachers by colleges of education or universities does not qualify such individuals as professional teachers,until after going through mandatory professional examination and issue with license by TRCN to practice as professional teacher in Nigeria"

He stressed the need to professionalize teaching, just like being done in the medical, law and other professions, adding that every profession must be  professionalized   

"For me  as PhD holder, I had  been certificated and issued with A-License by TRCN as a professional teacher, it is a very  good thing which must be embraced", Soyele stated 

"I'm really proud to be a professional teacher with A-License", he said

He quickly added  that sitting for such mandatory professional examination did not in anyway belittle the status of products of Colleges of Education or Universities in the country, explaining that the recertification is to ensure dignity of teaching profession, sanitize the practice and prevent it from becoming all comers affairs

The provost lauded the initiative of the Federal Government in establishing TRCN to regulate and professionalize  teaching profession in the country  

 

Edu-Biznews recalled that government had earlier issued January, 2021 as deadline for every teacher to be issued with professional license, before being allowed to teach in classroom in both public and private schools