November 30, (THEWILL) – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a new National Language Policy, which makes the mother tongue a compulsory medium of instruction for public primary school pupils.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, made this known to State House correspondents, at the end of the Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, in Abuja.
He said: “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.”
According to the minister, 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, where 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.
Adamu said the council also approved a consultancy services agreement between the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and a private company, for the upgrade of the portal, which the Board records candidates seeking admission into higher institutions of learning.
