TRCN says shortage of teachers hit global community, Nigeria inclusive

The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has bemoaned the shrinking number of teachers available to impact knowledge within Nigeria and, by extension, the global community.

The Acting Registrar, TRCN, Dr Stella-Maria Nwokeocha, disclosed this during a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Nwokeocharevealed that a high-level panel on the teaching profession, set up by the United Nations, also revealed this in its report released in 2024.

She said this shortage of teachers necessitated the 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria scheduled to hold on Oct. 16 to 17, 2024.

She added that the situation remained worse as a result of teachers leaving Nigeria enmasse for greener pastures abroad, due to dwindling fortunes in the profession.

“This is why the 4th Annual Online Conference of Registered Teachers in Nigeria scheduled is a special response to the emerging global continental and national issues of interest.”.

She added that the conference was directly linked to international concerns and expected to deal with strategies for quality teaching and lifelong learning.

She further said the conference would also look at national and international best practices in continuous professional upskilling of teachers, especially with respect to knowledge, skills, attitudes, conduct, and orientation of teachers.

“The two-day conference will also aim at addressing the implementation of professional development [PD] credits in advancing teachers along the career stages.

“It will also look at institutionalisation of the community of practice [COP] within the teaching profession in Nigeria, as well as fostering collaborative learning,” she said.

She listed the theme for this year’s conference as “Advancing Teacher Professionalisation in Nigeria Towards Education 2030: Challenges, Strategies, and Prospects.”.