October 14th 2024

By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –

As the world is grappling with the concern about teacher quality and the future of the teaching profession, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), is set to organize the 4th annual online conference in response to the global issues

The conference which is expected to hold on October 16-17, 2024 is expected to focus on interest to teaching profession and education in Nigeria.

In a pre- Media briefing on Monday in Abuja, the Acting Registrar/Chief Executive, Dr Stella-Maria Nwokeocha, said the theme of the Conference is “Advancing Teacher Professionalization in Nigeria Towards Education 2030: Challenges, Strategies and Prospects”.

Dr. Nwokeocha said the theme is directly linked to international concerns and will deal with sub themes such as the “strategies for quality teaching and lifelong learning; National and international best practices in continuous professional upskilling of teachers especially with respect to knowledge, skills, attitudes, conduct and orientation of teachers.

“It’s also about ( Implementation of Professional Development [PD] credits in advancing teachers along the career stages:  Institutionalization of the Community of Practice [COP] within the teaching profession in Nigeria; and Fostering of collaborative learning; among others.

“This is why the 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria scheduled to hold on October 16-17, 2024, is a special response to the emerging global continental and national issues of interest to the teaching profession and education in Nigeria”.

“The conference will bring together National and international experts across the specializations in the teaching profession who have been invited to make presentations.

According to her, the Conference which was initiated in 2021 remains one of the largest gathering platforms of professional teachers in Nigeria where emerging issues in teaching and learning in the 21st century are unraveled and resolved.

“As at today, over 3, 000 persons have registered, and the number is expected to grow further. The Conference will be streamed live on TRCN social media handles and those of UNESCO Nigeria which has greatly provided the technical support. TRCN will also set up viewing centers across the FCT, Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Lagos, Oyo and other states where teachers may be willing to assemble and participate”, she said.

The registration and participation is free for all, and that by participating a teacher will earn 25 PD credits as part of the requirements for the renewal of his or her teaching licence.

” It is further necessary to point out that TRCN statutory mandate covers all levels of the education system, and both the public and private sectors. Therefore, the Conference is for teachers at the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions, whether public or private sector. There is also a critical need for the participation of teacher educators at the faculties of education in the Nigerian universities, colleges of education, and schools of education in the polytechnics”.

She noted that the important goal of repositioning teachers in Nigeria to meet international standards call for collaboration with the media, sister agencies and international development partners, and other critical stakeholders.

“The media, in particular, can help to popularize the Conference so as to attract the largest number of teachers and critical stakeholders to participate as this will empower them to understand the direction of the profession, what is expected of them, and the best ways to optimize their quality, aspirations and career. Equally, the media is invited to participate in the conference so as to bring to the Nigerian teachers and populace crucial ideas that will emerge from the conference”.

“Gratefully, the Conference is already being supported by a number of critical stakeholders which include the Federal Ministry of Education, UNESCO Abuja, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office- Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria Education (FCDO- Plane), TY Danjuma Foundation, Save the Children International, development Research and Project Centre (dRPC), Universal Basic Education Commission, and National Teachers Institute, among others”, she added..

Nwokocha reminded the public about the status of TRCN as the flagship of teacher professionalization in Africa, and indeed, the world stressing that, TRCN was the very first teacher regulatory authority established in Africa through the TRCN Decree No. 31 and began operations in 2000.