The federal government of Nigeria has approved the policy of teaching primary school pupils in their mother tongue. This is a welcome development, if the policy will not suffer the curse of poor implementation.
Already,the minister of Education, Adamu Adamu made it clear that they are not prepared.They don’t have the materials -textbooks ,work and guide books and man power to implement the policy. According to experts, lack of adequate planning, facilities ,and personnel can undermine any kind of innovation. For any curriculum innovation to succeed,it must be implemented. it is not clear which model of implementation they will deploy. Is it going to be from the centre to sub national level (centre periphery) or shifting centre? or what? This should be clear.
Although teaching the pupils using their native does not guarantee quality or functional education; it is a one step forward towards decolonizing our education system which gives the impression that speaking foreign language is something to brag about.
Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar Unguwa Katsina.
TEACHING IN MOTHER TONGUE
