The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, has raised renewed concerns over shortage of teachers in Nigeria and other parts of the globe.
Speaking at a briefing on the forthcoming 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria, on Monday in Abuja, the Acting Registrar of TRCN, Dr Stella-Maria Nwokeocha, stressed the need for Nigeria to continually update the professional skills and competences of teachers along the lines identified by evolving global concerns.
Nwokeocha said the 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria, scheduled to hold on October 16-17, is a special response to the emerging global continental and national issues of interest to the teaching profession and education in Nigeria.
The TRCN boss added that the theme of the conference, “Advancing Teacher Professionalization in Nigeria Towards Education 2030: Challenges, Strategies and Prospects” is directly linked to international concerns and will deal with subthemes such as the Strategies for quality teaching and lifelong learning.
Other subthemes at the conference will be National and international best practices in continuous professional upskilling of teachers especially with respect to knowledge, skills, attitudes, conduct and orientation of teachers among others.
According to her, national and international experts across the specializations in the teaching profession have been invited to make presentations.
Recall that the online conference was initiated in 2021 and 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.
Nwokeocha also disclosed that over 3, 000 persons have registered for the conference, and the number is expected to grow further.
On participation of teachers across the country, she said 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.
“Registration and participation are 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 said.
She further stated that the important goal of repositioning teachers in Nigeria to meet international standards calls for collaboration with the media, sister agencies and international development partners, and other critical stakeholders.
