Judul : What’s Your Take on FG's Decision to Remove Mother Tongue from Basic School Teaching?
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What’s Your Take on FG's Decision to Remove Mother Tongue from Basic School Teaching?
The Nigerian federal government's recent decision to stop using the mother tongue as a teaching language in primary schools and to bring back English as the main medium of instruction has led to varied responses from the public and those involved in education.KINGSLEY ALUMONAcollected the perspectives of some Nigerians regarding these issues. Their Opinions:
Osinachi Maxwell
Our government is in disarray. How can our native language be taken away as the medium of instruction in our schools, yet the Federal Government recently introduced Mandarin, the official language of China, into our secondary school syllabus? Frankly, don't you see that they are all in a mess?
Chukwu Michael
The method through which instructions are provided to students should not be restricted to English or the local language exclusively. The main objective should be the accurate transmission of ideas to the learners. Any approach that successfully conveys the concepts should be utilized by educators, and this choice should not be fixed in advance. A teacher, taking into account the conditions of their class, should have the freedom to select any language of instruction that effectively communicates the information they wish to impart.
Matthew Oriahi
There needs to be a common language for the country to progress, and that language is 'Pigeon' English. It is spoken by many English, Chinese, German, Russian, and other language speakers. We even have a Pigeon English broadcast by the BBC.
Oladiti Ibrolad
I don't believe the individuals present during the meeting that resulted in this decision are fully aware of what they're doing. The most proficient English speakers are those who possess a deep understanding and are fluent in their native language. English is not our first language. Why should we enforce it upon ourselves? Therefore, the current situation means that a child who doesn't understand English is unable to access quality education.
Emmanuel Joseph
They have lost sight of the fact that not every region in the country is a city where English is spoken from birth. A three-year-old child moving from a rural area to school, where English will be the language of instruction, may struggle significantly. I spent 15 years teaching in Lagos State — a location where English is commonly used — yet I sometimes had to incorporate Pidgin to ensure my senior secondary students fully grasped the lessons. That's their approach. I'm aware, like many others, that it will likely not succeed.
Gilbert Diche
Local languages should be included as extensively as possible, but English must continue as the nation's common language. Indigenous languages should never be imposed on students as a means of teaching at any educational level, whether in the arts or sciences. These native languages should be studied by students, similar to how they learn other languages like French or Kiswahili, but not used as the primary language of instruction in schools. I believe this is what the new policy aims to achieve.
Opeyemi Ariyo
Our common language is English. All subjects are instructed in English, with the exception of Nigerian languages such as Yoruba, Igbo, and others, which cannot be taught in English. Therefore, I support the Federal Government's stance that English should serve as the medium of instruction across all our educational institutions, ranging from kindergarten to the university level.
Masher Magnus
The government has stopped prioritizing identity and heritage. Other nations educate using their native languages. Let the Nigerian government take lessons from China, Japan, among others. If this trend persists over the next decade, we risk losing our identity and historical legacy as a nation.
Kelvin Alisi
Eliminating the mother tongue as a medium of instruction in primary schools represents a regressive move for Nigeria's educational progress. Having been one of the co-authors of the USAID-funded early grade reading textbook initiative in 2020, I have witnessed directly how children acquire knowledge more quickly, engage in more profound thinking, and establish stronger academic foundations when taught in their native language. Top-performing education systems adopt bilingual or mother-tongue-based learning for this very purpose.
English continues to hold significance, yet neglecting our native languages undermines identity, understanding, and innovation. A student-focused method should enable children to grasp ideas initially before moving on. This policy requires immediate reconsideration for Nigeria's educational and cultural preservation.
Tokunbo Ayeni
The mother tongue is not as crucial as the knowledge that our children need to gain. The world has become a global village, and English, as our common language, is also international, which is beneficial. However, schools can allocate specific time for native languages, and the internet can be utilized to teach native or local languages based on the origins of our children.
Abiodun Ogundele
This is threatening our culture because it does not support our native identity — instead, we are encouraging a language that has been adopted. Hence, it constitutes a weakening of our culture, as our native languages could soon be stored in archives.
Peter Babs
I support the choice to restore English as the language used for teaching since the situation in numerous public schools is concerning. More students are struggling to express simple concepts in English, which hinders their opportunities once they move beyond their local areas. This isn't about rejecting our native languages or feeling less valuable. Instead, it's about providing each child with the necessary skills to thrive in a broader society.
Our native languages continue to hold significant value and should be encouraged within the family setting. Nevertheless, educational institutions need to provide students with proficiency in English to ensure they do not fall behind academically or socially. Guardians are advised to instruct their children in their mother tongue at home.
Door Green
Teaching the native language in primary schools is beneficial as it enables students to grasp concepts more quickly. Why would we remove local languages? I studied Linguistics and discovered that no language is inferior or primitive. It's simply a matter of development and encouragement. Any language has the potential to become global if its speakers hold significant political, social, and economic power. Language isn't about aesthetics or perception — it's about expression and communication.
Nigeria is a nation recognized for its numerous native languages, including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and others. These are valuable to teach. Pidgin English also plays a significant role in making Nigerians distinct. Eliminating these languages would be an extension of colonialism.
Hamzat Abdulwarith
A nation such as ours, made up of various cultural heritages, requires a common language. We have used the English language to overcome communication barriers, which is reasonable. It has also served as the medium of instruction in primary schools and higher education. However, when the Federal Government contemplates endorsing native languages for teaching, concerns emerge: What steps have they taken to guarantee smooth implementation? Do we possess sufficient educational materials in these languages, and how many educators are adequately trained to teach them?
The concept is promising, but it is missing essential elements. Let's take our time. Let's develop a strong plan, implement things gradually, and track our progress, as this cannot be accomplished overnight. It is a gradual process.
Edo Osadiaye
The federal government did not conduct extensive discussions, including engaging with education stakeholders, parent-teacher associations, and educational research reports, prior to adopting the mother tongue as a medium of instruction in Nigerian schools.
Nevertheless, it could represent a significant advancement in Nigeria's education system if appropriate measures are implemented beforehand, following the example of China, India, and many Arab nations that use the native language for teaching and are achieving greater technical, moral, and spiritual success. In short, the government should take the necessary actions, as one who aims to go far must begin early.
Michael Isoni
"Knowledge is useless without comprehension." Picture a corps member from the southern region of the country assigned to a school in the north, where the Hausa language dominates communication. In northern Nigeria, many schools have students who rarely speak, let alone write proper English. It poses a significant challenge in education when non-Hausa-speaking teachers and local students struggle to understand one another.
The latest policy of the federal government is beneficial because, unlike English, children can readily acquire their native languages from their homes, local areas, and communities.
Adewumi Aremo
The language is not an issue. What a child observes while learning enhances his abilities and helps him grasp concepts. Our government lacks a clear plan. They are aimless, performing actions just to appear visible. Most, if not all, of their children are not in the country, so their policies lack originality and depth.
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