A new National Language Policy which makes mother tongue a compulsory medium of instruction from primary one to six, has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
 |
| Nigerian Languages – Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, Isekiri, Efik-Ibibio, Tiv, Nupe |
Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education, while briefing statehouse correspondents, made this known, at the end of the weekly meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by the President, Muhammadu Buhari at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister said, the government was fully aware of the fact that implementing the new National Language Policy will prove a little difficult, however, pointed that the for the first six years of education, the only approved medium of instruction would be the mother tongue.
He further said, English language would be added starting from secondary school.
Though, the new policy has been approved as well as taken effect already officially, the Minister clarified that, the full implementation will take place when the government has developed the materials needed for the instructions and qualified teachers available.
Mother tongue to be used in each school would be determined by the dominant language of the host community where the school is located.
Adamu buttressed that so much has been lost due to the extinction of some of the local languages, and went on to state that the government is now ready to protect Nigeria’s diverse culture.
All Nigerian languages possess the same value and will be treated as such, he guaranteed.
Adamu 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 policy says that the language of the immediate community supposed it is a very large concentration of people but they speak so many languages, the language there to be chosen is the language the community communicate with but other Nigerian languages, the policy encourages their teaching and their learning in addition the teaching of other international languages or subjects will continue for instance in primary one to six will be learning.
“Theoretically, this policy starts form today (Wednesday), but 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, whereby the language of the host community is what will be used.
“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.”
Consultancy services agreement between the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and a private outfit for the upgrade of the Board’s portal which records candidates seeking to gain admission into higher institutions of learning has been approved by the Council, the Minister revealed.
