The Nigerian government has approved a new National Language Policy which makes the mother tongue a compulsory language to be taught at public primary schools across the country.
Communicating the new language policy, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, on November 30, while briefing journalists after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Abuja said it was important for preservation of local languages.
The minister revealed that the mother tongue will be used exclusively for the first six years of education, while it will be combined with English Language from Junior Secondary School.
He said even though the policy has officially taken effect, it can only be fully implemented when government develops instructional materials and qualified teachers are available.
Adamu explained that the mother tongue to be used in each school will be the dominant language spoken by the community where it is located.
The minister said the government is prepared to preserve cultures and their peculiar idiosyncrasies, stressing that sobmuch has been lost due to the extinction of some local languages.
He assured Nigerians that all Nigerian languages are equalband will be treated as such.
