CHAPTER FIVE

BENEFITS OF REGISTRATION

  5.1 THE SYNOPSIS

The TRCN Act is the greatest gift bequeathed to the Nigerian teachers by Government. This is for the fact that to all wise and noble vocations the rule is, “seek first professionalism and every other desirables will be added unto you.” Professionalism is the most primary and fundamental need of any vocation that wishes to deliver qualitative services to society and have its members well respected and remunerated. It ensures that only those that are appropriately trained and inducted perform the job. It guarantees that ethics are imbibed, the rules of the game exist and are obeyed by all, clients get value for their money and efforts, public interest is protected, priority is given to nation-building, and above that the professionals are regarded with dignity and awe. The professions of Law, Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Accountants, etc realized these secrets early enough and fully exploited them. That is why most people today would like to belong to those professions. The teacher should learn from the wisdom of these other professions that the Government has now given the teaching profession the greatest empowerment ever to match the performance and social worth of the counterparts in the other professions. The should be proud that at the end, Government has recognized and put into law the fact that only the trained individual can teach. It is a thing of joy and pride to any real teacher. It should also be a thing of joy to parents in this country who have been groaning under the weight of poor quality education, examination malpractices, cultism, and sundry vices most of which are the impact of the invasion of the education system by persons neither trained nor genuinely interested in teaching as a career.

It may also suffice for teachers to note some other specific ways the registration and professionalisation of teaching may be beneficial to them and the society at large, as captured in the subsequent sections.

5.2 Job Security

Only teachers registered with the Council will hence forth be employed or remain/make progress in the education system.

5.3 The Teachers Salary structure (TSS)

The Council in collaboration with other stakeholders have worked out the Teachers Salary Structure now recommended by the National Council on Education and is receiving attention by the Federal Government. It carries unique benefits and allowances which will be enjoyed by only teachers registered with the Council.

5.4 Ethical Rejuvenation in the Profession

Moral order is the foundation of every social organization. The operations of the Teachers Code of Conduct, Teachers Investigation Panel and the Teachers Tribunal will facilitate moral uprightness and re-endow the profession with the ability to impart the much cherished moral education on the learners for which teachers of old were known.

5.5 Higher status of Teachers in Nigeria

Higher status and public recognition are the ultimate implications of a vocation that has duly registered and regulated members.

5.6 Fulfillment of Legal Professional Requirements

It is a mark of patriotism to act at all times, in conformity with the laws of the country. Teachers who register are simply complying with the provisions of the TRCN Act, which is now a law in force in Nigeria . Practitioners of other professions comply with similar provision. Nigerian graduates also have to comply with the National Youth Service Corps Act. Therefore obedience to legitimate laws should be seen as a way of life.

5.7 Reduction in Brain Drain

Improvements in the teaching profession will help to check the brain drain phenomenon in the vocation. Top class teachers can also be definitely be attracted into the profession.

5.8 Rise in Educational standards

Since teachers are the key determinants of educational standards, the improvement in the condition of teachers will translate into high educational standard in the country. Council will encourage research, effective classroom practice and professional network through high quality information technology, seminars and workshops.

5.9 International Recognition

A rise in the standard of education will help Nigerian teachers regain their lost glory and enhance the respect and esteem for the products of our educational institutions as accorded graduates of similar institutions world wide.

5.10 Professional Identity

Registered teachers automatically become members of a recognized profession. Therefore, they will be legally entitled to affix the title, Teacher (TR), before their names.

5.11 Standard of Entry

Registration will protect the standard of entry into the profession and ensure that it is open to only teachers who have the requisite qualifications and aptitudes.

5.12 Professional Development

Registration will facilitate the extension of the best professional development programmes to the teachers. This will come largely from the programmes worked out in collaboration with sister agencies and development partners for registered teachers. The Council will further encourage the employers to play their own role towards the in-service training of their teachers.

5.13 Provision of Authentic Data