The Minister of State for Education, Prof. Chukwuemeka Nwajiu, says the federal government plans to build ultra-modern technologically equipped centres for teachers across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
The Minister stated this while reviewing Batch B Professional Qualifying Examination (PQE) centers for teachers in Abuja.
He said the ministry was collaborating closely with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Technology to utilize the six geopolitical zones’ existing digital bridge institutes, adding that the centers would be used for future exams as part of an exchange agreement.
According to him, the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has been directed to collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to activate the one teacher, one computer program, under which the Ministry of Education will provide laptops to those who require them on a three- to four-year repayment plan.
The minister said he was pleased with the proceedings because enough time was spent monitoring what TRCN has put in place for the conduct of the 2021 Batch B Professional Qualifying Examination for Teachers.
“The integrity of the test is evident because everyone is following the rules”, he stated.
Also speaking, Arch. Sonny Echono, the Permanent Secretary, who also oversaw the examination in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), expressed satisfaction with the results.
According to him, the federal government has begun major reforms in the sector, particularly in the areas of teaching and learning.
He explained that the deadline for all teachers to take the qualifying examination was set to remove all unqualified teachers from the classrooms.
“TRCN has been tasked to do a marking of all competent teachers in the federation, both employed and unemployed. The data would be made available to state governors for the recruitment of qualified teachers”, Arch Echono said.
