The Federal Government has approved use of mother tongue for teaching in primary schools
This is as the FG approved a National Language Policy for use in all primary schools nationwide.
This was disclosed by Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, while addressing newsmen at the end of the Council meeting which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja.
In his words, “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.”
He added that 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 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 pupil is, 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,” he added.
