FG Lists New Criterias for WAEC, NECO Accreditation for Schools

By Peter Dansu  The Royal Spry Schools, Badagry   The Federal Government has rolled out fresh conditions for schools seeking accreditation ...

By Peter Dansu 

The Royal Spry Schools, Badagry 

The Federal Government has rolled out fresh conditions for schools seeking accreditation to host major national examinations, warning that only schools with certified teachers will be allowed to serve as centres from 2027.

In a memo issued on Thursday, Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, directed the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to ensure strict enforcement of the new policy. He explained that the move was part of government’s broader plan to restore professionalism and dignity to the teaching profession.

According to the directive, by March 2027 for WAEC, May 2027 for NABTEB, June 2027 for NECO, and June 2027 for NBIAS, no school will be accredited for these examinations unless at least 75 percent of its teachers are duly registered with the TRCN. By 2027, schools are expected to hit full compliance at 100 percent.

“Any school whose teachers are not duly registered and licensed with the TRCN shall be disqualified from serving as an examination centre,” Alausa stated.

The memo also urged state governments to enforce the directive across both public and private schools, giving them two years to meet the requirements.

To make compliance easier, the minister said teachers without education degrees but with at least one year classroom experience could take advantage of an abridged certification programme at the National Teachers Institute. The programme, which lasts three to six months, would qualify them for TRCN registration and licensing.

Alausa emphasized that all stakeholders must treat the directive as a top priority to avoid disruptions to national examinations, stressing that government will no longer tolerate unqualified teachers in classrooms.

The minister had earlier declared in July that unqualified teachers must be removed from the system if Nigeria’s education sector is to be rescued from mediocrity.