Nigerian teachers now allowed to practice in UK

The United Kingdom has listed Nigeria among foreign countries eligible to apply for the Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) through its Teaching Regulation Agency effective February 1, 2023.

The UK also listed Ghana, India, South Africa, Hong Kong, Jamaica, Singapore, Ukraine, and Zimbabwe as countries now eligible for the programme.

The UK Department for Education in a statement said “this change is part of the launch of a new service”.

“From February 1, 2023, teachers who qualified in the following nine countries (listed above) will also be able to apply to the QTR through the TRA,” the Department said.

Also, it said that “you can work as a teacher in England and earn a salary while you’re assessed for QTS”.

The Department also said that to apply for assessment only QTS, you do not need a formal teacher training qualification.

However, it stated that a minimum of two years’ teaching experience is required to be eligible.

Other qualifications include an undergraduate degree of the same academic standard as a UK bachelor’s degree, as verified by UK ENIC, completed a course with content that is practically and pedagogically focussed, be qualified to teach children aged between 5 and 16 years.

Applicants must also have at least one school year (a minimum of 9 months including school holidays but excluding time out taken for any other reason) of professional experience working as a teacher after qualifying, have the professional status needed to be a teacher in the country where you qualified, and not be subject to any conditions or restrictions on your practice.

They must as well meet a certain standard of English language proficiency.

On why the new countries were added on this new service, the Department said research showed teachers from these countries already have a substantial presence in the UK as valued members of the teaching workforce.

It also stated that there is an established interest in teaching in England in these countries in addition to having strong educational ties with the countries in question.