The Nigerian government has decided to scrap a contentious education policy that mandated the use of indigenous languages for teaching in early schooling, reinstating English as the primary medium of instruction. Introduced three years ago by former Education Minister Adamu Adamu, the policy aimed to enhance learning by teaching children in their mother tongue, a method supported by UN studies on early childhood education. However, current Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced the policy’s immediate cancellation, citing its failure to deliver expected academic outcomes. Data from key examination bodies, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), revealed significant academic underperformance in regions that adopted the mother-tongue approach. The decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some, like education expert Dr. Aliyu Tilde, support the reversal, arguing Nigeria lacks the resources and trained teachers to implement such a policy effectively, others believe the policy was abandoned too soon. Critics, including social affairs analyst Habu Dauda, contend that the initiative required more time, investment, and support to succeed. The debate underscores Nigeria’s struggle to balance its linguistic heritage with the practical demands of a globalized economy where English proficiency is paramount. The policy reversal highlights broader challenges in Nigeria’s education system, including poor teaching quality, inadequate resources, and low teacher pay, which have contributed to high dropout rates and millions of children out of school.
Nigeria cancels mother-tongue teaching in primary schools and reverts to English
