Section 5: Functions of the Commission.

The functions of the Commission shall be to -(a) advise the Federal Government through the Minister and co-ordinate all aspects of teacher education falling outside the universities and polytechnics;
(b) make recommendations on national policy necessary for the full development of teacher education and the training of teachers;
(c) lay down minimum standards for all programmes of teacher education and accredit their certificates and other academic awards after obtaining prior approval of the Minister;
(d) approve guidelines setting out criteria for accreditation of all colleges of education in Nigeria;
(e) determine, after consultation with the National Manpower Board and other bodies it considers appropriate, the qualified teachers need of the country for the purpose of planning training facilities and in particular prepare periodic master plans for the balanced and coordinated development of colleges of education and such plans shall include -
(i) the general programmes to be pursued by colleges of education in order to maximise the use of available facilities and avoid unnecessary duplication while ensuring that they are adequate to manpower needs of the country,
(ii) recommendation to the Minister the establishment and location of new colleges of education as and when considered necessary, and
(iii) recommendation to the Minister for upgrading of any college of education to or de-recognition of any college of education as a degree awarding institution;
(f) inquire into and advise the Federal Government on the financial needs, both recurrent and capital, of colleges of education to enable them meet the objectives of producing the trained qualified teachers of the country;
(g) receive block grants from the Federal Government and allocate them to colleges of education in accordance with such formula as may be laid down by the Federal Executive Council;
(h) serve as agency for channeling all external aids to colleges of education in Nigeria;
(i) advise on, and take steps to harmonise entry requirements and duration of courses at the colleges of education;
(j) prescribe standards to be attained and continually review such standards.
(k) review methods of assessment of students and trainees and develop a scheme of national certification for the various products of colleges of education in collaboration with the ministries responsible for education, and universities to which the college are affiliated;
(l) undertake periodic reviews of the terms and conditions of service of personnel in colleges of education and make recommendations to the Minister;
(m) collate, analyse and publish any published information relating to teacher education in Nigeria;
(n) consider any matter pertaining to teacher education as may be referred to it by the Minister; and
(o) carry out other activities as are conducive to the performance of its functions under this Act.