Nigerian Government Proposes Amendment to Mother Tongue Policy in Primary Schools
The Nigerian government has called for an amendment to the existing mother tongue policy in primary schools, emphasizing the need for a more practical approach to its implementation. Minister of State for Education, Suwaiba Ahmad, urged the National Council on Education (NCE) to approve the revision, limiting the use of the mother tongue to Early Childhood Care Development and Education (ECCDE) and primary one.
Previously, the policy mandated the use of indigenous languages as the medium of instruction for the first three years of primary education, aiming to preserve Nigerian languages and enhance foundational learning. However, challenges such as policy inconsistencies, Nigeria’s linguistic diversity, and a lack of instructional materials have hindered its execution.
Additionally, Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, proposed extending basic education to 12 years to include secondary school, ensuring uninterrupted learning until age 16 and reducing dropout rates. He also advocated for converting Federal Science and Technical Colleges into Federal Technical Colleges to enhance vocational education and align skills with industry needs.
The NCE meeting, held in Abuja, brought together education stakeholders, including state commissioners and international organizations, to discuss these proposed reforms and strategies for improving Nigeria’s education system.
Source: All Africa News
