Education
Nigeria To Stop Teaching English Language, Switch To Mother Tongue In Primary Schools
Nigeria To Stop Teaching English Language, Switch To Mother Tongue In Primary Schools
The Nigerian government has approved a new National Language Policy which makes the mother tongue a compulsory medium of instruction from Primary 1 to 6.
The approval was issued at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this while briefing journalists on the outcomes of the council meeting, said though the government is aware that implementation will be challenging, the government has made the mother tongue the only medium of instruction for the first six years of education.
He explained that after primary education, English and mother tongue will be combined from the start of junior secondary school.
According to the minister, though the policy has officially taken effect, it can only be fully implemented when the government has developed instructional materials and made provisions for qualified teachers.
Adamu explained that the mother tongue to be used in each school will be the dominant language spoken by the community where it is located, Daily Sun reports.
So much has been lost owing to the extinction of some local languages, he said, adding that the government is determined to preserve cultures.
He noted that all Nigerian languages are equal and will be treated as such.
He said, “A memo on national policy was approved by the council. So, Nigeria now has a National Language Policy and the details will be given later by the ministry.
“One of the highlights is that the government has agreed now that henceforth, instruction in primary schools; the first six years of learning will be in the mother tongue.”
The minister said the decision is only in principle for now because it will require a lot of work to implement it.
“Theoretically, this policy starts from today and the use of mother tongue is exclusive but we need time to develop the material, get the teachers and so on. Since the first six years of school should be in the mother tongue where the pupil is, the language of the host community is what will be used.
Fuel Scarcity Worsens Nigeria’s Cost Of Living, Check New Fuel Price
“Because we have 625 languages at the last count and the objective of this policy is to promote and enhance the cultivation and use of all Nigerian languages,” he added.
Adamu said the council also approved a consultancy services agreement between Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and a private company, for the upgrade of the portal on which the board inputs records of candidates seeking admission into higher institutions of learning.
-
Headline1 week ago
EPL: Iwobi Surpasses John Mikel Obi’s Record Of Most Minutes Played
-
Headline1 week ago
EPL: Everton Handed 2 Points Deduction Over PSR Breaches
-
Headline1 week ago
JUST IN: No New Moon Seen– Sultan Declares Wednesday Eid-el-Fitr
-
Entertainment1 week ago
BREAKING: Nollywood Actor Junior Pope, Two Others Die While Shooting A Movie (Video)
-
Headline1 week ago
BREAKING: Edo House Impeaches Deputy Gov, Philip Shaibu
-
Entertainment1 week ago
BREAKING: Nollywood Actor Is Still Alive- Doctor Confirmed
-
Entertainment1 week ago
BREAKING: Popular ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ Actress Dies At 40
-
Headline1 week ago
NiMet Predicts 3-day Sunshine, Thunderstorm From Monday
-
Crime1 week ago
BREAKING: Lagos Court Remands Emefiele In EFCC Custody Over Abuse Of Office
-
Headline1 week ago
BREAKING: FG Announces Thursday Additional Eid-El-Fitr Holiday