The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has emphasized the urgent need to implement the language policy promoting the use of indigenous languages in schools. This move is seen as crucial in addressing the learning crisis in Nigeria and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Hamid Bobboyi, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, highlighted the severity of the learning crisis, citing a report by the National Bureau of Statistics and UNICEF which revealed that three out of four children in Nigeria, aged six to 14 years, struggle with reading and basic mathematics.
Factors contributing to this crisis include the lack of access to instructional materials, poor teaching quality, insufficient parental guidance, and the failure to implement the language policy advocating the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction in the lower classes of basic education.
During a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Dr. Bobboyi stressed the critical role of fundamental learning in national development and urged for proactive measures to be taken. He emphasized the importance of engaging stakeholders to develop strategies that would contribute to overcoming the learning crisis.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Prof. Ismail Junaidu, echoed the call for the implementation of the National Language Policy. He highlighted the approval of the policy in 2022, which allows for the use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction up to primary six. Furthermore, he emphasized the need to develop language autography and curriculum for teaching indigenous languages, calling on communities to support these efforts.
While expressing concern about the lack of political will, shortage of language teachers, and inadequate funds to implement the policy, Prof. Junaidu stressed the importance of sensitization, production of instructional materials, and capacity building for teachers and implementing partners. He called for collaboration between agencies and development partners to ensure the effective implementation of the policy.
Munamuzunga Sikaulu, the UNICEF Education Manager, emphasized the necessity of taking concrete actions to address the learning crisis, urging stakeholders to devise strategies for delivering basic education to Nigerian children. He underlined the potential of using indigenous languages to enhance motivation among teachers and students, ultimately facilitating effective learning.
The dialogue on the use of indigenous languages in education has brought to the fore the pivotal role of language in addressing the learning crisis in Nigeria. As stakeholders continue to deliberate and collaborate, it is evident that prioritizing indigenous languages in educational systems can pave the way for meaningful progress and sustainable development.
