FEC approved mother tongues as compulsory medium of instruction from primary one to six.
By Emma Ogbuehi
In a bid to encourage the use of local languages and preserve them from going into extinction, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new National Language Policy making the various mother tongues compulsory medium of instruction from primary one to six.
The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who briefed journalists on the approval, noted that the policy takes immediate effect.
He stated that the government is aware that its implementation will be difficult but it is necessary to promote the cultivation and use of all Nigerian languages.
He revealed that as of today, 29 languages have become extinct, leaving the country with 625 languages.
For this reason, he disclosed that the mother tongue will be used exclusively for the first six years of education, and then combined with the English language from Junior Secondary School.
Adamu said even though the policy has officially taken effect, it can only be fully implemented when government develops instructional materials and qualified teachers are available.
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He further explained that the mother tongue to be used in each school will be the dominant language spoken by the community where it is located.
He assured that all Nigerian languages are equal and will be treated as such.
According to him: “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 is a very large concentration of people but where they speak so many languages, the language there to be chosen is the language the community communicates with”
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 (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.”
President Muhammadu Buhari presided over the Meeting.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as a number of cabinet members were physically in attendance.
The ministers include those of Transportation, Muazu Sambo; Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed; Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, George Akume; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami; Education, Adamu Adamu; Power, Abubakar Aliyu; state for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva.
Others are Ministers of Niger Delta affairs, Umana Umana; as well as Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo.
